Premium

Technology in race cars (39): Tyrrell P34 - six-appeal

Name: Tyrrell P34 1976
Brand: Tyrrell

Created on November 28, 2023

Text:

Gerhard Schütz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Archiv: Gerhard Schütz

Stuart Adams

Quirin Schön

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Archiv: Gerhard Schütz

Stuart Adams

Quirin Schön

Archiv

Tyrrell P34 (1977) - H-98 - Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2018

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrrell P34 (C) (1976) - in a species-appropriate environment

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrrell P34 (1976) in the Masters Racing Legends Formula One Cars 66-85 racing series - Austrian Historic 2022

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrrell P34-7S (1976) - at the historic support race for the GP USA in Austin (TX) 2012

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrrell P34-7S (1976) - a six-wheeled Formula 1 car at the historic support race for the GP USA in Austin (TX) 2012

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrrell P34 (1976) - shot of 34-2 before the start of the season

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The revolutionary front section

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Aerodynamically integrated front wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Front modifications

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Original front apron

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Sketch of the chassis

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Double brake system

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Caricature of cars with more than 4 wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Sketch of the steering system

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Sketch of the narrow steering system

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Two feet between four wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

March 2-4-0 - Four-wheel drive on the rear double axle

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The first single-seater racing car with side windows

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The designer Derek Gardner and the team boss Ken Tyrrell

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - 1977 version with widened track in full drift

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - A comparison of the rear and front wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Optimistic Depailler in the cockpit during the 1976 season

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Chassis flank and water cooler behind it

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Sophisticated front axle with very good steering

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Front section of the first version without radiator

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Six wheels for one victory

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Patrick Depailler and Derek Gardner during further development

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Steering in two positions

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The technical team - just 19 people!

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Jody Scheckter in the Tyrell P34

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Plan sketch(in color)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Plan sketch(black and white)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - top view without front wing

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The press event. Second from left behind the car: Frank Williams

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The only victory - even a double: Scheckter ahead of Depailler in Sweden

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The tanks are located in the sloping chassis flank. Reminiscent of the Brabham BT44 TiR36

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Monaco 1977, Peterson and Depailler retired. Winner: Scheckter - but now on Wolf

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - Monaco 1976, 2nd place with Scheckter and 3rd place with Depailler

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Williams at the 1982 test - but never used in this way. Several designers preferred this solution, if 6 wheels at all

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - The rear tires were further developed by Goodyear in 1977, the front ones no longer; a major handicap

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Tyrell P34 Formula 1 - No, that's not a messy race tire change; that's just normal prep work for the race. Note the rear upper trailing arms

You have only

1 out of 52

images seen in high resolution

Summary

Tyrrell's 6-wheel project was created in the greatest secrecy. In the fall of 1975, a certain Frank Williams was also invited to the unveiling. He was not the only one whose jaw dropped when he saw the new 6-wheel concept.

Estimated reading time: 10min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The years 1958-1978 were the two most creative decades in the history of racing technology. This series portrays the most progressive, pioneering and exotic designs of Formula 1, Indy cars, sports cars and Can-Am, and at the same time traces the major lines of development that still have an impact today. Tyrrell's six-wheeler project was created in the greatest secrecy. In the fall of 1975, the press was invited to the unveiling. The journalist from Autosport remembers: "When the car was unveiled, my eyes happened to fall on Frank Williams. It was impressive: his glassy eyes reflected pure, honest, utter disbelief. And his jaw was dropped." The surprise was perfect, everyone involved in the project had kept their mouths shut. The media response was gigantic; even the Moscow Pravda carried a picture - and that was still during the Cold War!

Welcome to Zwischengas!