What with 'elf and safety gone mad', these days it's all but impossible to gate-crash a team garage after a significant motor race and pilfer yourself a decent bit of bodywork or a 'spare' wheel.
At F1 events your chances are nil, with prison-style fences making sure grubby rampaging fans don't spoil the post-race TV pictures. However, Toyota has stepped in to fill the void with a range of components from its past F1 cars now available for sale on its website.
Carbon fibre wings, brakes and light alloy wheels are all up for grabs at the Toyota F1 web site with prices ranging from £175 to £4,400.
At the bargain end of the market there are wheels, brake discs and suspension parts from less than £200, while front and rear wing assemblies can be yours for between £700 and £2,000. A complete rear wing, engine cover and underbody section – virtually half a car – is available for 'just' £4,400, says Toyota.
'While stocks last' promises to be an apt sales pitch as F1 fans rush to snap up a rare bargain the company maintains, although whether the F1 team in Cologne welcomes the distraction of having to rootle through its cast-off bits and pieces for the sell-off is probably a moot point.
Knowing Toyota as we do, this could easily be an attempt by the motor sport division to show bosses in Tokyo they're making an effort to save a few quid as the cold economic outlook continues to send shivers through the organisation globally.
We quite fancy half an F1 car in the PH office. If only we could afford to help out!