1979 March 793 Formula 3
- Engine
- Toyota inline-four (F3 spec)
A March 793 Formula 3 car driven by Piercarlo Ghinzani to overall victory in the 1979 Italian F3 Championship, with wins at Vallelunga, Misano, Varano, Enna-Pergusa, Monza and Mugello, defeating rivals including Michele Alboreto and Mauro Baldi. Retained from new by Ghinzani, the car has remained in single ownership throughout its life. Originally Alfa Romeo-engined, it was subsequently fitted with a Toyota Novamotor unit, which was rebuilt in 2010 and has covered fewer than 200 km since.
Ownership
- 2015-07-23Auction saleSold £38,000 (≈ $48K)
- 1979 →Factory deliveryPiercarlo Ghinzanifull documentation
Ghinzani retained the car from new, keeping it fully maintained throughout. It is described as single ownership from new with complete provenance.
Competition
- 1979Italian Formula 3 Championship1979 Italian Formula 3 ChampionshipDriver: Piercarlo Ghinzani1st overall
Victories recorded at Vallelunga, Misano, Varano, Enna-Pergusa, Monza and Mugello; Alboreto and Baldi were among the defeated competitors.
- 1979European Formula 3 Championship1979 European Formula 3 Series (selected rounds)Driver: Piercarlo Ghinzani
Car was entered in selected rounds of the European F3 series alongside the Italian championship campaign.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1980Modification
Original Alfa Romeo engine (returned to the factory at the close of the 1979 season) replaced by a Toyota Novamotor unit, which remains in the car today.
The Alfa Romeo engines were factory property and reclaimed at season end.
- 2010Engine rebuildEllegi Motori
The Toyota Novamotor engine was fully rebuilt; fewer than 200 km have been covered since, and the car is described as race-ready.
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