From caravans to coaches: 9 classic F1 motorhomes and transporters
They have come a long way since the beginnings of the sport
Now, admit it. Who else has a bit of a thing for F1 motorhomes and transporters? Please say it isn’t just me.
From the humblest caravan plonked in a 1970’s paddock, right up to McLaren’s 140 ton, palacial motorhome of today, from flat bed trucks to ultra-high tech transporters, each is as much a part of history of F1 as the cars themselves.
Here then, in no particular order of wonderfulness, is a little selection for you classic vehicle fans to enjoy, with the odd horror thrown in for good measure…
THE ITALIAN JOB
Everything, just everything about this picture is perfect.
From the open truck carrying, what would be worth today, around £15 million worth of Ferraris, to the open top sportscar and the split screen Morris Minor parked at the back.
This is (we think) a trio of 246’s, for Wolfgang von Trips, Richie Ginther and Phil Hill, arriving at the 1960 Dutch Grand Prix. Epic.
THREE POINTED STARS
Starting out with a simple flat bed truck in the pre-war years, through to the incredible ‘Blue Wonder’ transporter of 1954 (powered by the same engine used in their 300 SL, it could top 100 mph) up to the sparkling fleet of 2017 trucks doubling up as engineering offices.
You have to admit, Mercedes know how to do style.
CARRY ON CAMPING
The Italians and Germans may have been winning in the style stakes but back in the day, all a British F1 champion needed was a caravan with some natty curtains.
Here is Jackie Stewart with his ‘on loan’ caravan, sometime around 1971.
NOT QUITE SO SUBTLE…
Of course, we couldn’t expect modern F1 stars to slum it in a tiny caravan.
This monster, reputedly worth $1 million, was used by Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button (we assume not at the same time though) and was the kind of thing top drivers would have when the fad was to have a mobile home from home.
Now they seem happy to stay in hotels and travel into the track. Where’s the fun in that then?
NOT REALLY THAT LOVELY AT ALL…
For some racers on a budget, it was a time of having to mend-and-make-do and as American driver, Pete Lovely, owned a Volkswagen dealership, it was a case of seeing what they had laying around the garage and then get stuck into a bit of welding.
Here he is, turning up with his Lotus 49B, just about on a VW Transporter, at the 1970 French Grand Prix. Now would YOU fancy driving along behind that?
IF CARLSBERG DID DRIVER LINE-UPS…
Only the French could make a Leyland coach look sexy and this Equipe Matra motorhome proves it. However, this one wasn’t just used for F1.
Here it is during it’s time in the 1970 World Sportscar Championship. Check out the roster of five F1 drivers on their books. Imagine that happening these days…
SIMPLY DROP DEAD GORGEOUS…
We had to have one more from Ferrari. If you have a great car livery, then stick it on the truck too, it WILL look good.
Here from 1976, the Fiat 170NT Formula 1 Transporter. With added Clay Regazzoni and a 312 for extra coolness.
Join In
Comments (17)
Jenson keeping it classy there...
Btw that open top aqua blue sports car is a Mercedes. Don't know exactly which one. I'm sure someone will
It's a puny 190 SL rather than a 300SL DHC I reckon. Still has no business being in a Ferrari picture. Slightly more though than a Morris Minor
As the proud owner of a 1957 Morris Minor, I have to disagree!
Great Post. Carry on. 👍
Cheers Stefan, I'm a bit of a classic car nut, so this was a fun one to do! @GrandPrixDiary
Ah, 70's F1. Where KERS is in the distant future, the cars weren't as easy to drive as playing on the PlayStation, and a well kept moustache added at least 5MPH to your top speed.
that mercedes truck really looks like its making a not so subtle attempt to enter your conversation