F1 "Fashion Disasters"

[Arizona]

A thread inspired by pictures of next seasons aerodynamic parts. What were some of the most hideous looking machines in racing history?

 

A few that stick in my mind include:

 

The 1999 BAR

 

 

The X-Wings used by Ferrari, Jordan, Sauber and Tyrell at the start of the 1998 season.

 

 

David Coulthard picking the worst race possible to score Red Bull's first podium

 

 

The 2004 "Walrus" Williams

[Ponty]

The 2007/08 Renault has to be right up there!

 

[Colinjb]

Jackie Stewart's tartan trousers anyone?

[Hatch]

The six wheelers.

[Pancake]

The six wheelers.

 

Boooo! Great looking machine the P34:

 

[Durleyfos]

Boooo! Great looking machine the P34:

 

 

lol, wtf is that all about?

[Sheaf Saint]

I just did a google search on 'Ugly F1 cars' and it came up with this...

 

 

Can anyone identify it? Whatever it is, it's one hideous looking car!

[Arizona]

lol, wtf is that all about?

 

In short, they wanted lower aerodynamic drag from the front tyres, and the only way they could do that was by mking them smaller. The smaller tyres didn't produce enough grip, which lead to horrific understeer. To combat this Tyrell added a second pair just behind the front wheels. All four were capable of being steered.

 

The problem was that the design was so unique that the tyre manufacturer (can't remember which one) didn't bother developing the smaller front tyres, which noone else used, which would have made any further developments of the car uncompetitive.

 

I think the P34 won one race, a 1-2 finnish. Can't remember the drivers tho.

[Pancake]

 

I think the P34 won one race, a 1-2 finnish. Can't remember the drivers tho.

 

Jody Scheckter won it, Patrick Depailler second, Sweden 1976.

[Pancake]

I just did a google search on 'Ugly F1 cars' and it came up with this...

 

 

Can anyone identify it? Whatever it is, it's one hideous looking car!

 

March 711 with added "vent"?

 

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~garycr/2001/march_711_6/index.htm

[Pancake]

1976 Ligier JS5

 

[Colinjb]

 

The Eifelland has always been a personal favourite.

 

 

And look at the front of this Brabham....

Edited 20 November, 2008 by Colinjb

[gaz]

I know its not F1.... but here's a Brabham F2 car circa 1969:

 

 

Here's a Tyrell:

 

 

 

A 1979 Ensign:

 

 

[Hatch]

[Colinjb]

 

Dear god! A ferrari testing mule from the ground effect era?

[Durleyfos]

1976 Ligier JS5

 

 

lol, looks like a smurf.

[Pancake]

lol, looks like a smurf.

 

lol, didnt think of that!

[Ponty]

That Brabham F2 car is like something off of Top Gear! lol

[Colinjb]

That Brabham F2 car is like something off of Top Gear! lol

 

Ha. Makes the Avantime look viable!

[Son of Bob]

Some teams tried 4 wheels at the back too!

 

March;

 

 

Williams;

 

[mightysaints]

I had the Scalelectrix 6 wheel march, was crap even then, the Lotus 76 would blow me away.

[Colinjb]

Some teams tried 4 wheels at the back too!

 

March;

 

 

Williams;

 

 

The 4 wheel drive williams set a new lap record around Silverstone if I remember correctly.

 

Then the FIA banned it....