‍For many, Il Tempo Gigante is a childhood icon. For young Mathias, the car is something more: it’s the sound of safety. Lines he knows by heart. A world he knows inside out – even though he can no longer see it.

When the iconic car from The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix was displayed at Oslo Airport, it was primarily meant as a spectacular advertising installation. But for one family, it became a rare moment of connection, achievement, and joy – and an encounter that meant far more than anyone could have planned.

When Mathias’ mother, Monica Hess, discovered the car was on display at Oslo Airport, she sent an email to Bauer Media Outdoor. Maybe it would be possible to do something extra for her son, Mathias Hess Havn.

– When I found out that Il Tempo Gigante was at Gardermoen, I started looking for a contact person. I came across an article featuring Finn Espen and thought: I’ll give it a try. So I sent him an email, she explains.

The Pinchcliffe universe has been part of Mathias’ life since he was little. First through films and children’s books, later as an inner world he carries with him – shaped by sound, memory, and imagination.

– We’ve spent a lot of time in hospitals over the years, with fractures, surgeries, and long stays. Books and films became a place to escape. Pinchcliffe quickly became a favorite. He knows the story, the lines, and the sounds by heart. It feels safe and comforting to revisit something you already know what looks like, says Monica.

When Mathias was six, he gradually began losing his sight. The following year, he was declared blind. Today, he “watches” the films again – through memory, touch, and sound.

– We usually say he sees with his hands and ears. After he lost his sight, we bought figures so he could feel the characters. Il Tempo Gigante has been especially important. He has a toy version, but getting to touch a real car… that’s something completely different.

That’s why the visit to Oslo Airport became so special. Mathias was allowed behind the barriers to touch the actual Il Tempo Gigante. To feel the engine. The horn. The front. Everything that makes the car what it is.

– He was very clear about what he liked – and what he didn’t. The seat was a bit too cold and hard, and it was a shame the doors couldn’t be opened. But the engine was big, the horn was right, and the sight at the front was there. I think it helped him ‘place’ the new car in his mind – and understand that it’s a bit different from the original, she says.

Advertising that creates emotion and lasting memories

Finn Espen Lønseth Sageng, Head of Airport at Bauer Media Outdoor, says this was never really about advertising – it was about people.

– We know our installations attract attention, evoke emotions, and create memories. But when something takes on a greater meaning than originally intended, it becomes even more meaningful to contribute. In this case, it was a joy to say yes, says Sageng.

He explains that it quickly became a shared effort.

– Everyone stepped up – Avinor, the film company, and our team at Bauer Media Outdoor. When you see what it means to a child and a family, there’s no discussion. You just make it happen.

Back home, the Pinchcliffe universe lives on. Mathias is building Il Tempo Gigante in Lego – entirely on his own. He plays the Pinchcliffe melody on the piano. The family is now working on making the new Pinchcliffe board game more tactile, even 3D-printing the Eiffel Tower and a pyramid.

– It’s incredible to see how much joy he gets from understanding the world around him in his own way, says Monica.

For Sageng, the experience is a reminder of something fundamental:

– Outdoor is real. It’s advertising that meets real people, in real life. Sometimes it creates moments that truly leave a mark. When that happens, you can only be grateful to play a small part in something that means a lot to someone else.

And for Mathias?
He’s now experienced Il Tempo Gigante. For real.

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