As movie stars strut their stuff on the Palais red carpet, an equally glamorous but different kind of icon has been drawing fans on the other side of the palais – a collection of limited-edition scaled classic cars. Hedley Studios has brought “automotive art” to the Cannes Film Festival with a pop-up showroom at the Vieux Port (old port) marina.
The pop-up gallery of automotive elegance showcases a fleet of reimagined legends that blur the lines between art, engineering and nostalgia.
The recreations of historic cars have all been meticulously hand-crafted in the UK, in official partnership with brands like Bugatti, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Bentley.
The temporary showroom is a “shrine to speed and style”, says Hedley, with each exhibit echoing the “golden age of motorsport and cinematic cool”.
The cars are sought after by international clientele as highly treasured and valuable collection items, although they’re not static sculptures. Each is road-ready and electric-powered, offering a new generation “the thrill of driving an icon”.
Bentley Blower Jnr
At the heart of the display is the Bentley Blower Jnr (main photo), a nod to the 1929 British racing legend. At 85% scale and fully electric, it’s both a tribute and a revolution—proof that green technology and vintage glamour can co-exist beautifully. Perfectly suited for Riviera roads, the Blower Jnr might just be the chicest way to arrive at a beach club or soirée this season.
Ferrari Testa Rossa J
Sharing the spotlight is the Ferrari Testa Rossa J, an exquisite 75% scale homage to the 1957 Le Mans-winning original. Each curve and contour is crafted by hand over 300 painstaking hours, capturing the soul of Italian motorsport in miniature.
Aston Martin DB5 J ‘No Time to Die’ Edition
But the pièce de résistance for film buffs is undoubtedly James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 J ‘No Time to Die Edition’. This 66% scale marvel comes equipped with all the gadgets straight out of Q’s lab that was driven by Daniel Craig in the 2021 film—spinning number plates, a smokescreen, and yes, those infamous mini-guns. It’s not just a collector’s item; it’s a fully operable tribute to cinema’s most enduring secret agent.
Bugatti Baby II
Completing the lineup is a French icon reborn—the Bugatti Baby II. A loving reinterpretation of the 1924 Type 35, the Baby II was crafted using 3D scans of the original Grand Prix car, blending technological precision with classic style. It was also the very first creation from Hedley Studios, marking the beginning of a brand that continues to bridge past and future.
Ben Hedley, founder and CEO of Hedley Studios, says: “The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious in the world, and we’re delighted to be showcasing our full line-up of automotive art in the heart of Cannes. Each of our pieces resembles a slice of true automotive art, with our teams of designers and engineers applying hours of attention and hand-crafting skills and techniques to their creation.”
Visitors and filmgoers alike are invited to experience the full Hedley Studios collection up close at the IGY Vieux Port de Cannes Marina throughout the festival (you still have until 7pm on Saturday 24 May 2025).
View Hedley Galleries here:
https://hedleystudios.com/our-galleries/
