The famous racing car marque of Vanwall returns with the unveiling of a new, road legal, single seat racing car at the International Historic Sports Car Show at 11.30 am on Friday 25th February 2005. Sadly, we can't publish photos of it until tomorrow -- watch this space.
The name Vanwall first hit the headlines in the 1950’s when the team won the Formula One Constructors title in 1958. Drivers included British legends such as Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks. The picture shows Tony Brooks in his Vanwall at the 1958 GP at Spa. The marque then lay dormant and was retained by the Vandervell bearing company and its various owners over the last four and a half decades.
In 2004 British entrepreneur, Arthur Wolstenholme, realised a dream when he was successful in persuading the brand’s current owner, Dana Corporation, Glacier Vandervell Bearings Division to license the name for use on a planned range of replica racing cars.
The first of these products, the Vanwall GPR V12 makes its world premiere at the International Historic Sports Car Show this week. The Vanwall GPR is a high performance, lightweight, aluminium bodied single seat racing car which is craftsman built. The unique design combines many influences from cars of the 1950’s Formula One era. Powered by a 6.0 litre V12 engine and weighing less than a ton, the car is said to have truly breathtaking performance.
Despite its Formula One looks however, the Vanwall is intended for use on the road as well as the track. The use of modern technologies such as tiny, high-intensity lamps inboard of the front wheels are just one example of how this is made possible and discreet mudguards, that from normal viewing distances appear to blend in with the tyres, ensure that the historic formula one car look is never compromised.
The car, registered and in road trim, allows the owner to drive to events such as track days, hill climbs and other motor sport activities where the car’s performance can be experienced both legally and to the full.
All the cars are hand built and specifically made to the individual customer. Prices start at £78,000.
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