Jody Scheckter, the 1979 Formula One World Champion, is parting ways with a piece of racing eccentricity: his Tyrrell P34. Known for its distinctive six-wheeled configuration, the P34 carved its niche as perhaps the most unconventional F1 car ever to hit the track. This particular car, reconstructed in 2008 as a fully operational race car from the original chassis numbered “8”, will be available for acquisition at RM Sotheby’s Monaco sale in May.
The Tyrrell P34’s claim to fame doesn’t solely rest on its unique design; it also boasts a competitive pedigree, having been driven by Scheckter himself during the 1976 and 1977 Formula One seasons. Despite its atypical appearance, with four smaller front wheels designed to reduce drag and improve braking, the car demonstrated commendable performance. It secured its only outright victory at the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix, with Scheckter and his teammate Patrick Depailler achieving a total of 10 podium finishes that season.
The car up for auction is powered by a Ford-Cosworth DFV 3.0-liter V8 engine, mirroring the original specifications and presenting in exceptional condition. Its design features, such as the brake-cooling NACA ducts on the front wing and clear body panels for tire visibility, are tailored to the 1976 specifications, although it includes modifications from the 1977 season, like large mesh panels.
What sets this P34 apart is its non-race-used status, which significantly reduces the barriers for its next owner to actively drive it, rather than relegating it to display as a mere collector’s item. This presents an enticing prospect for enthusiasts eager to experience one of Formula One’s most audacious engineering feats firsthand.
With an estimated auction price between $490,000 and $700,000 and no reserve, this sale offers a rare opportunity to own a tangible piece of F1 history, embodied in a car that challenged conventional wisdom and left an indelible mark on the sport’s evolutionary timeline.
Shawn Henry