1938 Citroen 2CV6 Picasso Citroen Andy Saunders

(from AndySaundersCustoms.co.uk) Inspired by Picasso, madcap mechanic Andy Saunders from Poole has created a modernist masterpiece from his old Citroen 2CV

POOLE car nut Andy Saunders has spent six months turning a 2CV car into a bizarre work of art - after being inspired by Picasso.

The tiny French motor is now an artistic masterpiece after the multi-coloured makeover and abstract alterations.

It is still fully roadworthy and capable of hitting 65mph and has been renamed Picasso's Citroen.

Andy decided to create an asymmetrical and abstract vehicle after seeing paintings by the Spanish cubist Pablo Picasso.

It was officially launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2007.

The madcap mechanic tried to cross the divide between car design and art - and now believes the mobile sculpture could be worth over a million pounds.

The mechanical masterpiece was inspired by Picasso's Three Musicians and his portrait of Dora Maar.

Andy has done his best to alter all symmetry and says the more you study thecar, the more quirky things you can see.

The 44-year-old added: "I decided to try and blur the line between car design and art by using Picasso as inspiration."

(from RM Auctions Press Release)  RM Auctions, in association with Sothebys, will shine a spotlight on a host of creative custom cars by leading UK designer, Andy Saunders when the curtain rises on their second annual Automobiles of London event at Battersea Park, London UK on October 29th, 2008.

Regarded as the UKs top custom car builder, Saunders has been at the forefront of wild car creations for almost 30 years, having built over 40 individual customs and restored a number of classics. It is, however, his unique, off the wall designs and drivable car sculptures that have earned him the most critical acclaim and attracted global media attention. One journalist described Saunders as an automotive alchemist for he turned base cars into gold. In addition to participation in various European Concours dElegance events and recently completing a pair of special commissions for Hyundai, most recently, Saunders claimed his third Guinness Book of World Records title, this time for the worlds lowest camper van. Created onstage in just three days and before an audience of over 34,000 car enthusiasts, the diminutive 1980 VW Camper stands at just 3.3 feet tall.

This October as Saunders looks to share his designs with other automotive enthusiasts and make room in his garages for new creations, eleven of his cars will cross the block as part of RM Auctions Automobiles of London event.

The Andy Saunders Collection is best described as rolling works of modern art, says Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Auctions European Division.

Each piece effortlessly melds Saunders remarkable passion for cars with his artistic talents, wild imagination and creative vision. It is drivable art in the truest sense, he added.

The Andy Saunders Collection will join a host of luxury classic, sports and racing cars at RMs London event.

Each car is certainly a one-of-a-kind collectors piece, says Girardo. Unique and fun, they are certain to capture the attention of both automotive and art enthusiasts and will add another element of fun to the event, he adds.

RM Auctions, in association with Sothebys, will present their Automobiles of London event at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London UK on October 29th, 2008. A full day preview will be held on October 28th from 11:00am to 5:30pm. Doors open on October 29th at 10:00am, with all the auction action getting underway from 4:00pm. Admission to the event is by catalogue only, which is available for 50 and admits two.

Further information for this auction is available here