1977 Tyrrell P34
The Tyrrell P34 was a revolutionary six-wheeled Formula 1 car conceived by designer Derek Gardner, whose calculations showed that four small front wheels would meaningfully reduce aerodynamic drag. The P34 achieved its greatest result at the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix with a Scheckter–Depailler one-two finish. Chassis 8 was built as a spare tub and later completed from parts by Bud Bennett of RM Motorsport, subsequently raced at Monterey historic meetings before entering the Jody Scheckter Collection.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €1,040,000 (≈ $1.14M)
- → 1992Acquisition unknownPaul Lanzantepartial documentation
Acquired the bare monocoque and various P34 components; the tub had been retained by Tyrrell in unassembled pinned form before passing to Lanzante.
- 1992 → 1995Private saleToby Beanpartial documentation
Purchased the monocoque and associated parts from Lanzante; project remained incomplete during this period.
- 1995 →Private saleBud Bennettpartial documentation
Historic-racing specialist who acquired the project and began assembling a complete car; sold it on to Junco while restoration work was still ongoing.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRodolfo Juncopartial documentation
Mexican publishing figure who acquired the P34 from Bennett during its completion phase; his son Rudy drove the car in competition.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJody Scheckterpartial documentation
Former Tyrrell works driver who added this chassis to his personal collection; the car has been demonstrated regularly at CarFest South during his ownership.
Competition
- 1976Formula 1 World Championship1976 Spanish Grand PrixDriver: Patrick Depailler3rd on grid (qualifying result noted)
This was the P34's competitive debut; Depailler qualified third while teammate Scheckter was fourteenth in the older four-wheeled car. Final race result not specified for this chassis.
- 1976Formula 1 World Championship1976 Belgian Grand PrixDriver: Jody Scheckter4th
Scheckter's first race in a P34; marked the point at which both Tyrrell drivers were campaigning the six-wheeled design.
- 1976Formula 1 World Championship1976 Monaco Grand PrixDriver: Jody Scheckter2nd
Depailler finished third behind Scheckter, giving Tyrrell a strong double result.
- 1976Formula 1 World Championship1976 Swedish Grand PrixDriver: Jody Scheckter1st
Scheckter started from pole and won; Depailler was second, delivering a Tyrrell one-two that stood as the P34's finest result and contributed to the team's third-place finish in the constructors' standings.
- 20082008 Monterey HistoricsDriver: Rudy Junco1st in 1970s Formula 1 class
Rodolfo Junco's son drove the P34 at Laguna Seca and took victory in the period Formula 1 category.
- 20102010 Monterey HistoricsDriver: Craig Bennett
Son of Bud Bennett piloted the car at Laguna Seca two years after the 2008 appearance.
- —CarFest South
During Scheckter's ownership the P34 has made repeated demonstration appearances at this UK festival event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1995RestorationRM Motorsport
Bud Bennett of RM Motorsport undertook the assembly and completion of the car from the bare monocoque and loose components, building it into a running P34.
Work began in 1995 but the car was sold to Rodolfo Junco before completion was finished.
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