This original 1965 poster was created for the 26th Critérium International de la Montagne, better known as the Coupe des Alpes. Held from 19 to 25 July 1965 and organised by the Automobile Club Marseille Provence, this celebrated event brought together international drivers for a demanding journey across the winding roads and high mountain passes of the Alps. Founded during the interwar period and revived after the Second World War, the Coupe des Alpes became one of Europe’s most prestigious road rallies. Its combination of steep climbs, sharp bends, changing weather and long-distance driving tested the reliability of the cars as much as the skill and endurance of their crews. By the 1960s, the event occupied an important place in the golden age of international rallying. The poster’s dramatic photograph places a red competition car, bearing the number 5, against the immense scale of a snow-covered Alpine landscape. The small vehicle appears almost isolated on the mountain road, creating a striking contrast between mechanical performance and the grandeur of nature. The restrained palette is enlivened by the red car and bold blue lettering, while the large Coupe des Alpes emblem anchors the lower part of the composition. The inscriptions identify the 1965 event, its dates and its organisers, alongside the names of Esso and the French motoring publication L’Action Automobile. Together, these elements give the poster the authentic visual character of mid-century European motorsport advertising, combining documentary photography with strong, highly legible typography. An evocative original poster for collectors of classic cars, Alpine rallying and French sporting history. Its mountainous setting, period competition imagery and association with the legendary Coupe des Alpes also make it a compelling decorative piece for a study, library, garage or contemporary interior. Original poster Sport - Automobile 26th International Mountain Criterium - Automobile Club Marseille Provence - Esso - Latest news Strasbourg Good condition
