1979 Fittipaldi F6/A
- Engine
- 3.0L V8 Cosworth DFV
- Colour
- Yellow Copersucar livery
The Fittipaldi F6/A chassis 1 is the sole original F6 constructed for the 1979 Formula 1 season, driven by Emerson Fittipaldi throughout that year under the Copersucar banner. Penned by Ralph Bellamy and later substantially revised by the FLY Studio team, the car achieved a notable seventh-place finish at the 1979 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. After decades in private hands, it was comprehensively overhauled in the UK around 2018–2021, competed at the 2024 Monaco Historic Grand Prix, and was subsequently reunited with Fittipaldi himself, who drove and autographed it.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €511,250 (≈ $562K)
- 1979 → 1986Private saleVan Lepel collectionpartial documentation
Acquired directly at the close of the 1979 season; part of a documented chain of known custodians.
- 1986 → 1996Acquisition unknownBob Campbellpartial documentation
Retained the car for approximately a decade before passing it on.
- 1996 → 1997Acquisition unknownBill Hallpartial documentation
Brief period of ownership between Campbell and Schnell.
- 1997 → 2010Acquisition unknownHerbert Schnellpartial documentation
Described as a historic F1 racer; held the car for roughly thirteen years.
- 2013 → 2023-07-01Acquisition unknownUnidentified owner from 2013partial documentation
During this tenure the car was comprehensively overhauled from 2018 by OC Racing in the West Midlands, with a rebuilt Cosworth DFV fitted by Geoff Richardson; the car was also campaigned at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
- 2023-07-01 →Private saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Following acquisition, the vendor commissioned AB Sport Auto for restoration and crack-testing, then entered the car in historic events in 2024; maintained contact with Emerson Fittipaldi throughout the restoration process.
Competition
- 1979Formula 1 World Championship1979 South African Grand PrixDriver: Emerson Fittipaldi13th
Third round of the season; debut outing for the F6 in its original specification. Fittipaldi outqualified both Williams drivers.
- 1979Formula 1 World Championship1979 Italian Grand PrixDriver: Emerson Fittipaldi8th
Fittipaldi recovered from 20th on the grid, finishing ahead of championship contender Alan Jones.
- 1979Formula 1 World Championship1979 Canadian Grand PrixDriver: Emerson Fittipaldi8th
Qualified ahead of both McLarens and several notable drivers including Ickx, de Angelis, Mass, and Rosberg.
- 1979Formula 1 World Championship1979 United States Grand PrixDriver: Emerson Fittipaldi7th
Season finale at Watkins Glen; Fittipaldi advanced from 23rd on the grid in an attrition-heavy race.
- 1979-07-01Formula 1 World Championship1979 German Grand PrixDriver: Emerson Fittipaldi
First race in the revised F6/A configuration; the upgraded specification was not ready until this point in the season.
- 20212021 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Car appeared in Copersucar yellow livery following its overhaul; driver not named in the catalogue.
- 2024-04-01Masters Racing Legends2024 Masters Racing Legends French Grand Prix support races
Held at Circuit Paul Ricard; driver not specified in the catalogue.
- 2024-05-012024 Monaco Historic Grand PrixDriver: Jonathan CochetPodium finish
Contested the heat for 3.0-litre F1 cars from the 1977–1980 era; Cochet advanced from 4th to reach the podium.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1979ModificationFLY Studio
Chassis substantially revised from F6 to F6/A specification by FLY Studio's Giacomo Caliri and Luigi Marmioli: suspension revised, longer side pods modelled on the Williams FW07 fitted, and the monocoque structurally strengthened.
Work was completed in time for the German Grand Prix, leaving six races remaining in the season.
- 2018RestorationOC Racing
Full mechanical overhaul carried out in the West Midlands; a new 3.0-litre Cosworth DFV V8 engine was fitted separately by a specialist based in Huntingdon.
Engine installation handled by Geoff Richardson of Huntingdon. The car wore the Copersucar yellow livery on its return to running.
- 2023RestorationAB Sport Auto
Car restored and subjected to crack testing following acquisition by the current vendor.
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