Just to prove that haute horology isn’t all about peering through loupes and fiddling with tiny blued screws, the boys at Ladoire took part in the 20th Tour Auto Vintage race beginning in Paris on April 11th and finishing in Biarritz some five days later.

Lionel Ladoire gets behind the wheel of his GT40

In a beautifully customised show stealing Ford GT40, Lionel Ladoire, strictly in the interests of promoting Ladoire Mr. Race, agreed to get behind the wheel to participate in the race.

His GT40 featured Ladoire’s signature spider’s web on its flank.

Built in the 1960s, the Ford GT40 won Le Mans 24 hours four times consecutively from 1966 to 1969. The ’40’ designation represents the height of the car (40″/1.02 m) at the windshield as required by the Le Mans rules.

However, those expecting the arrival of Mr. Race in Biarritz were to be disappointed. As spectators and team officials waited nervously at the finish line, rumours began to emerge that he had picked up a mysterious woman hitchhiker bearing a spider’s tattoo on her shoulder. He was last seen heading for Spain.

This is exactly the kind of thing that happens when you let ambitious young watchmakers drop their tweezers and hit the roads.

Ladoire Black Widow Mr. Race

‘Mr Race’ is the second limited edition timepiece from Ladoire’s Black Widow collection, following on from Mr Green who had an encounter with the Black Widow in a hotel room.

The Black Widow poster ad

Black Widow close up pictures

Have you seen Mr. Race?

Use the comment below if you have had a sighting of Mr. Race.