Formula One legend Jody Scheckter’s famous car collection is up for auction and sensationally includes his World Championship-winning Ferrari.
In a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a deep-pocketed F1 fan to own a championship car direct from the driver, the 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 is being offered by the South African ‘unsung hero of F1’ via RM Sotheby’s. sale in Monaco.
The 312 T4, the car that secured Scheckter the coveted title of World Champion, is just the jewel in the shining crown of his collection that reflects the best of the 1970s, an era that many experts consider the heyday of the sport.
The T4 is estimated to sell for between €5.25m and €6.5m (£4.5m-£5.5m) and while the complete collection of 12 engines could net the former champion €12.9m of euros (£11 million) if all were sold for their price. high-end guide prices.
Formula One legend Jody Scheckter’s World Championship-winning 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 is for sale in Monaco with RM Sotheby’s
Powered by the legendary 3-litre 12-cylinder boxer engine, it was the first Grand Prix Ferrari to feature full ground effect.
South African Formula One world champion turned organic farm Jody Scheckter lifted the trophy in 1979 and is called the “unsung hero of F1”.
The Ferrari factory in Maranello is where Scheckter purchased the Ferrari beginning in November 1982. It remains in its original condition and has only been driven by him.
Packed with McLarens and Tyrells, the racer-turned-biodynamic farmer’s 12-car lineup also includes a 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ road car that raced twice in the Targa Florio.
But there is no doubt that the bidding frenzy will break out for the 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 with its crème de la crème of F1 pedigree.
Enzo Ferrari’s final Formula One World Drivers’ Championship-winning car was powered by the legendary 12-litre boxer engine and the first Ferrari Grand Prix car to feature full ground effect.
The chassis was also the winner of all three of Scheckter’s victories in 1979: the Belgian, Monaco and Italian Grands Prix.
Scheckter, who now lives in Hampshire, bought it from the factory in November 1982. It remains in its original condition and has only been driven by him.
Alongside this one-of-a-kind Ferrari are a trio of McLarens with almost the same heritage behind them, including the 1973 McLaren M23.
The M23 is arguably one of McLaren’s best models and one of the most attractive cars in the sport.
The model also secured the team its first constructors’ championship title and two drivers’ championships with Emerson Fittipaldi and James Hunt. Offered without reserve, it is estimated to sell for between €1.75m and €2.25m (£1.5m-£1.9m).
The rest of the McLaren trio consists of a 1971 McLaren M19A, one of only two in existence, which is the exact chassis with which Scheckter made his F1 debut at the 1972 United States Grand Prix, and a McLaren M21 from 1972 Formula Two category. .
Scheckter’s entire collection of cars which, if sold at their high estimate, could fetch around £11 million for the former F1 champion.
With almost the same heritage behind them, McLaren’s lots include Scheckter’s 1973 McLaren M23; Arguably the M23 is one of McLaren’s best models and one of the most attractive cars in the sport.
The lineup of incredible McLarens also includes the 1971 McLaren M19A, one of only two in existence.
1972 McLaren M21 – presented in the famous McLaren Papaya Orange colors from Scheckter’s 1972 Formula 2 season
In the daring designs of the 1970s, slicks and turbochargers were just some of the innovations that made F1 so dangerous and exciting, and few constructors achieved as much success in this period as Tyrrell.
So Scheckter’s Tyrrell duo, including a glorious 1975 Tyrrell 007 and an extraordinary 2008 Tyrrell P34 six-wheeler, are two truly evocative examples from an extraordinary decade in motorsport.
Scheckter’s Tyrrell duo, including a glorious 1975 Tyrrell 007 and an extraordinary 2008 Tyrrell P34 six-wheeler, are two truly evocative examples from an extraordinary decade in motorsport.
The 007 was driven in 12 races by Scheckter between 1975 and 1976 and crossed the finish line third at Silverstone in 1975.
The latest offering at the Monaco sale is the 1977 Wolf WR1, which took Scheckter to second place in that year’s F1 Drivers’ Championship.
After Scheckter, he raced with future World Champion Keke Rosberg (father of World Champion Nico Rosberg).
Estimated to fetch between €450,000 and €650,000 (£380,000 and £550,000), it’s the ideal price if you value an F1 success story.
The Jody Scheckter Collection’s 1977 Wolf WR1 took Scheckter to second place in that year’s F1 Drivers’ Championship and was later driven by future World Champion Keke Rosberg.
‘The Magic Merlyn’ 1969 Merlyn Mk11a is also up for grabs: it launched the careers of Emerson Fittipaldi, Colin Vandervell and Scheckter.
Scheckter sale concludes with a 1974 Trojan T101 and a 1973 Rondel Motul M1
The 1974 Trojan T101 between €65,000 and €100,000 without reserve is one of the cheapest cars in the Scheckter Collection
The Scheckter sale concludes with a 1974 Trojan T101, a 1973 Rondel Motul M1, a 1971 Merlyn Mk21 and the 1969 Merlyn Mk11a ‘the Magic Merlyn’ that launched the careers of Emerson Fittipaldi, Colin Vandervell and Scheckter.
The only road car up for grabs (for a bidder who really wants to drive their piece of automotive history) is a more recent addition to Scheckter’s collection: a 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ, previously owned by the racer. Scuderia Ferrari, Ignazio Giunti, during the beginning of his competitive career.
This collection should deliver monetary results for Scheckter in what has been a challenging year for his post-F1 business, Laverstoke Park Farm.
A 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ, previously owned by Scuderia Ferrari driver Ignazio Giunti during the beginning of his racing career, is the only road car in the collection.
Scheckter’s post-F1 business venture, Laverstoke Park Farm, a 2,500-acre organic farm in Hampshire that hosts CarFest, has been struggling during recent financially tough times.
Home to CarFest, the 2,500-acre organic farm posted a public company message earlier in the year announcing the closure of the Laverstoke buffalo farm and dairy manufacturing facility due to “unprecedented levels of cost increases.”
With no reserve prices set, buyers will have to part with huge sums of money to get a piece of the most exciting decade of racing car development the sport has ever seen.
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