1951 Veritas Meteor
- Engine
- 2.0L, inline configuration, Veritas-designed
Chassis 502 of the Veritas Meteor, a Formula 2 car conceived by Ernst Loof and produced between 1951 and 1954, carries a distinguished early competition history centred on Belgian driver Arthur Legat, who became the oldest driver to make a Formula 1 debut and finished 13th at the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix. First purchased by François Vermeulen, the car passed to Legat in 1953 and remained with him until his death in 1960. Following decades of obscure ownership, it was fully restored by the Aumann Collection in the early 1980s and raced at the Nürburgring in 1987.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €320,000 (≈ $352K)
- 1951-05-08 → 1953-09-01Acquisition unknownFrançois Vermeulenfull documentation
Belgian racing driver who acquired the car new and regularly lent it to Arthur Legat for competition use. Period document on file confirms chassis and engine number 502.
- 1953-09-01 → 1960-02-01Private saleArthur Legatfull documentation
Belgian racer from Chimay who had previously used the car on loan; formally purchased it from Vermeulen and retained it until his death. Period press cuttings, photographs, and a race chart are preserved with the car.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAumann Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired the car in the early 1980s after an obscure intervening ownership period; commissioned a complete ground-up restoration and subsequently exhibited the car.
Competition
- 1931Grands Prix des FrontièresDriver: Arthur Legat1st
One of two consecutive victories for Legat at this event, achieved in his pre-war racing career prior to his Veritas Meteor tenure.
- 1932Grands Prix des FrontièresDriver: Arthur Legat1st
Second successive win at this event, cementing Legat's pre-war reputation as a competitive Belgian driver.
- 1952Formula 1 World Championship1952 Belgian Grand PrixDriver: Arthur Legat13th
Legat became the oldest driver to make a Formula 1 debut at this event. The car was entered under François Vermeulen's ownership at the time.
- 1987Nürburgring race
Historic competition appearance at the Nürburgring during the Aumann Collection's ownership, following the car's complete restoration.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationThe Aumann Collection
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt rebuild carried out after the Aumann Collection acquired the car in the early 1980s.
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