My father bought this piece in Louisville, Kentucky while participating in the American Board of Radiology. Marvin Finn was a prominent African American artist located in Louisville, Kentucky. This original, one of a kind (OOAK), handmade piece is perfect for a collection or makes for great rustic children’s décor. The piece is signed and dated (1980) on the bottom. This piece is in excellent condition so please look closely at the photos to appreciate all the terrific details, as well as to best understand overall condition. Condition: Good – There is some discoloration on the windshield, smudges on the roof and the statue has gathered some dust from decades of display. It’s hard to tell if any perceived imperfections were part of the form as Finn was know for using scrap wood and imperfect painting styles (see photos). Measurements: 12″ tall x 12″ wide x 21 long. There are no comparable vehicles know to exist as this is a unique creation. Born in Alabama, Marvin Finn grew up in a large family. As toys were scarce, he began carving his own from a young age. Finn moved to Louisville after World War II where he started a family and continued carving toys for his own children. His wife, Lillian, would help him using an electric jigsaw to cut shapes he drew out of pieces of wood. In addition to toys, Finn is known for carving animals such as roosters, and painting them with bold colors and patterns. He also built cranes, shovels, and bulldozers inspired by the Louisville dockyards and his work in construction. This urban setting influenced his creation of kinetic toys, which were treated with a bright and whimsical finish similar to his animal carvings. The work of Marvin Finn has been well-known in Louisville for decades. During this time, people have enjoyed the wide range of objects he has produced. Best known are his painted wood sculptures of animals and machines. Many people are drawn to his work for its humor, the color application and the wide variety of forms his creatures assume. What few people realize is that Marvin Finn’s work is linked to a larger tradition of folk art, which reaches back to Africa.