Tyrrell P34 the 6 Wheeler
Robert Kenneth Tyrrell
On Saturday 25 August 2001 Robert Kenneth Tyrrell died at the age of 77. Ken Tyrrell became world champion with Jackie Steward in 1971 and 1973. Tyrrell was a father figure for young drivers and a brilliant team manager in three turbulent decades of Formula-One.
Brilliant peace of art
After a few successful years with Steward and Cevert (sadly died in 1973) Tyrrell was looking for something new. At the end of 1975 Ken Tyrrell and his designer Derek Gardner created a brilliant peace of art: the 6 wheeler.
Why six wheels?
Why six wheels? Four smaller wheels at the front seemed the solution for reduction in drag, improved cornering power and increased braking grip. Goodyear was asked to produce the four front tires in secret. Although the car has won a Grand Prix (Sweden, Scheckter first, Depailler second) Tyrrell had to stop the development of the car because of the front tires. Unfortunately Goodyear's tire development program did not have the capacity to properly support the special tires used by the P34.
Tyrrell six wheeler
A few slot car manufacturers have produced the Tyrrell six wheeler. Carrera put Tyrrell (Aral, number 8) in the program from 1977 to 1980 and in the early eighties Polistil was selling a six wheeler. On the pictures you see the six wheeler created by Polistil.
SCX introduced the best replica
SCX introduced the best replica. SCX created a Tyrrell P34 (4054) for their Vintage line. This special edition car was limited to a production run of only 2,000 units. Many racers and collectors have put this slot car on the list of gifts wanted.
Six wheeler in Formula-One
The Tyrrell has not been the only six wheeler in Formula-One. Although the March Ford 240, the six wheeler with two wheels at the rear, never raced in a Grand Prix,
Scalextric has produced this model (C/129) in the seventies.
Jan Willem van Capelleveen
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