RM Sotheby’s recently announced The Jody Scheckter Collection, offered directly from the renowned South African driver and unquestionably one of the most important collections of competition machinery ever offered at auction. Scheckter, a Formula One legend, reached the peak of his career in 1979 when, as a Ferrari driver, he secured the World Championship in his Ferrari 312 T4, during a period which is unquestionably one of the most dramatic and exciting in the sport’s history.
The star of the collection is the 1979 Ferrari 312 T4. Enzo Ferrari’s last Formula One Drivers’ World Championship-winning car, this chassis was the winner of all three of Scheckter’s victories in 1979—the Belgian, Monaco, and Italian Grands Prix. It was also the very first Ferrari Grand Prix car that featured full groundeffect and was powered by the legendary 3-liter flat-12 engine.
It was purchased from the Factory by Jody Scheckter in November 1982, and remains in entirely original condition—right down to its original seatbelts and numbered components throughout. The car has never been driven by anyone other than Jody, and it presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a World Championship-winning Ferrari direct from its championship driver. In more recent times, Jody memorably demonstrated the car at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his World Championship.
Part of the collection also comprises a trio of iconic McLarens, including the 1973 McLaren M23, which is arguably one of McLaren’s greatest models and one of the sport’s best-looking cars; the model which also secured the team its first constructors’ championship title, as well as two drivers’ championships with Fittipaldi and Hunt.
This example was Peter Revson’s 1973 British GP winner, and raced in four continents in period across various racing series including Formula One, F5000, and Can Am. Previously part of the McLaren factory collection, this car will be offered without reserve.
Also on offer is a 1971 McLaren M19A, which is the exact chassis that gave Jody his F1 debut at the 1972 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Raced by an incredible list of names that also includesHulme, Revson, and Oliver, this is an exceedingly rare example, being one of just two M19As in existence. Offered without reserve. The final McLaren to feature is a Formula Two category 1972 McLaren M21, also offered without reserve.
Few constructors achieved as much success as Tyrrell did in the 1970s. Producing some of the most memorable cars of the period, few Formula One cars are as evocative as the 1975 Tyrrell 007, and the example offered was driven by Scheckter in 12 races during 1975-76, with race histories to its name including a third place at the 1975 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Complete with its legendary Ford-Cosworth DFV engine and Hewland gearbox, this example is offered without reserve.
Also offered is an iconic 2008 Tyrrell P34. Constructed from parts around an unused period chassis, this remarkable six-wheeler was originally designed to test the technological limits of what was possible in Formula One at the time. Despite not dominating in period thanks to complications relating to its four front wheels, it remains an iconic machine that perfectly illustrates the convention-busting innovation that occasionally enters Formula One.
More information about the auction and the Jody Scheckter Collection can be found HERE.