Art and Design Inspiration
Who is Andy Saunders and Why Are His Cars So Special?
Discover the world of Andy Saunders and his unique collection of cars. Learn about his passion for automotive history and the stories behind each vehicle.
Andy Saunders Cars is more than just a typical car dealership; it’s a place where automotive art is celebrated and showcased. Andy Saunders, the founder and bepoke car designer, has been involved in the automotive industry for over 30 years. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and his work has been featured in major automotive publications. To Andy, cars are works of art and in this article, we will take a closer look at how Andy Saunders Cars is more than just a place to buy a car, but rather a place to discover a fresh new take on contemporary craft.
Saunders has a passion for cars that goes beyond the typical appreciation for a well-designed luxury cars. Some even refer to him as a car alchemist, able to transform ordinary cars into something truly extraordinary. In the early 1990s after working at Ford, he founded his own car design consultancy, where he worked on a variety of automotive projects for major car manufacturers. One of Saunders’ earliest designs was the Lotus Carlton, which he worked on while at Lotus. The Lotus Carlton was a high-performance version of the Vauxhall Carlton, and it was one of the fastest four-door saloons of its time.
Saunders’ approach to building cars is highly detailed and precise. He begins by carefully researching the history and specifications of the car he is working on, to gain a deep understanding of its original design and engineering. Andy takes great care to ensure that every component of the car is restored or built to the highest standard. He achieves this by maintaining meticulous records of his work, including photographs, diagrams, and notes. This not only helps him to ensure that each component is restored or built correctly, but also serves as a valuable record of the car’s history.
An important element to Andy’s work is more than just aesthetics, as he believes that a car’s design should be driven by its intended purpose. Saunders is constantly on the lookout for new materials and technologies that can help to make cars lighter, faster, and more efficient, while also improving their safety and reliability.
Andy Saunders Cars are a beautiful example of how design can bridge the gap between art and functionality. Andy and his team are dedicated to restoring and maintaining their cars to the highest standards, ensuring that each one is not only beautiful but also fully usable.
Functional design, like Andy’s cars, can provide an avenue for creative expression and innovation. By utilizing the talents and skills of artists and artisans, product design can be beautiful and unique but also prioritizes the needs and behaviours of the user, resulting in end products and also spaces that are intuitive, efficient, and effective. By designing for functionality, we can create products and spaces that are not only easier to use and more durable, but also more sustainable for the future.
Andy Saunders Cars is not just a place to buy a car; it’s a place to immerse yourself in the world of automotive art. Their showroom is more like an art gallery than a car dealership, with each car carefully placed to showcase its beauty and design. The lighting is carefully designed to highlight the curves and angles of each luxury bespoke designed vehicle, and the environment is quiet and serene, allowing visitors to appreciate each car in its full glory. Valuing the history and design of each vehicle, Andy’s team often host events and exhibits that showcase the beauty and artistry of their designer cars.
Art forms can be explored in many ways like Andy’s wonderful car inventions, such as our Vibrant Contemporary Rug collection. Designed using bold colours, geometric shapes and abstract patterns are often inspired by nature, architecture, and art, which reflects Sonya’s playful relationship with rugs as an artform.
Sonya’s designs are also celebrated for their versatility and adaptability. The designs look different for every angle giving you many choices on how to place them. Our luxury rugs are designed to be work perfectly in a variety of spaces and settings, from modern urban apartments to traditional country homes.
This versatility is a hallmark of our contemporary design, which often seeks to blend traditional and modern elements to create a fresh and innovative aesthetic.
Similar to Andy, we know that using high quality materials is a key element for the functionality of the product. We use 100% New Zealand Wool best quality, Silk or Art Silk to our own unique specification. This ensures our rugs are durable, practical (they can be cleaned!) and have longevity. They are also wonderful statement piece of floor art that will transform your home with their stunning colours, beautiful design and in many cases unique shapes.
