1974 Tyrrell 007

The Tyrrell racing team was founded by Ken Tyrrell and competed in Formula One competition (and other Formula events) from 1958 through 1998. When it was first formed in 1958, it raced in Formula Three competition. Ken drove during the 1958 season but resigned those duties to others more qualified for the following seasons.

By 1960, the Tyrrell Racing Organisation began building cars. During the early and mid-1960s, Tyrrell cars were racing in the lower formulas. In 1963, a partnership was formed with Jackie Stewart (Sir John Young Stewart). He was nicknamed The Flying Scot, who competed in Formula One from 1965 through 1973 winning three world titles during that time. His racing career included other series such as CanAm.

Ken Tyrrell had been running the Formula Junior team for Cooper when he heard of Jackie Stewart. Stewart was invited for a tryout and given a car that was being driven by Formula One driver Bruce McLaren. It was not long before Stewart was beating McLaren's time. Stewart was offered a spot on the team.

Tyrrell remained in the lower formula's from 1958 through 1967. From 1965 through 1967, Tyrrell ran the Formula 2 operation for BRM.

In 1968, Tyrrell moved to Formula One as a team principal for Matra International. Stewart drove the Tyrrell/Matra MS10 to several victories. The car had many unique features such as lightweight fuel tanks that were still structurally rigid. The technology was banned by the FIA in 1970, claiming the technology was unsafe. Instead, they promoted the use of rubber bag-tanks.

For 1969, the team had Jackie Stewart and Ken Tyrrell as drivers. The power was from a Cosworth and the chassis was a Matra unit. The following season, Matra merged with Simca and was actively promoting their V12 program by insisting that Tyrrell abandon the Cosworth DFV engine. Tyrrell tested the twelve-cylinder unit but was unsatisfied with its performance.

Tyrrell found an alternative with Max Mosley's March, which had just released a customer Formula 1 car. Tyrrell purchased the March 701 chassis and prepared it for Stewart, all the while clandestinely working on his own car. The cars were painted in French racing blue livery, in honor of their French-sponsored Fuel company, Elf.

The March/Tyrrell cars with Stewart at the wheel had mild success throughout the 1970 season.

For 1971, Tyrrell introduced the Tyrrell 001, which had been created with the help of Derek Gardner. The car borrowed much of its design from the MS80. During its introductory year, it won both the drivers' and constructors' championships. Stewart was the team's primary driver and was joined by teammate Francois Cevert. During the 1972 season, Stewart was plagued with a stomach ulcer but returned in full force the following year. He and Cevert finished 1st and 2nd in the Championship.

Tyrrell 004 was constructed for Jackie Stewart and used during the 1971 and 1972 seasons as a Works F1 car. It had been introduced to the public at the Earls Court London Motor Show in England.

The Tyrrell 005 was used during the 1972 and 1973 seasons, and only one was ever constructed. It was designed by Frank Gardner and powered by a Ford/Cosworth V8 engine that produced around 450 horsepower. It was driven by Jackie Stewart who was able to score one victory during the 1972 season. Stewart drove it for the first part of the 1973 season.

The Tyrrell 006 was used during the 1972 through 1974 season. It shared many similarities to the Tyrrell 005 and was also powered by a mid-mounted Ford/Cosworth V8 engine. The 006 broke the Tyrrell naming scheme; in the past, each new Tyrrell vehicle was given its own designation. With the 006, there were three examples created and each was called the '006'.

The Tyrrell 006s were used by Francois Cevert and Jackie Stewart during the 1972 and 1973 seasons. Stewart was able to secure a World Championship in the 006. During a practice session at Watkins Glen, while preparing for the United States Grand Prix, Cevert was involved in an accident that claimed his life.

For the 1974 season, new drivers and a replacement for the aging Tyrrell F1 car were needed. At the beginning of the season, the team announced its new drivers. It would be a while, though, before the next new Tyrrell F1 car was introduced. Tyrrell was busy creating the car, which was not ready until the fourth Grand Prix race of the season.

Patrick Depailler and South African Jody Scheckter were the drivers for the Tyrrell team during the 1974 season. They raced in the cars from the previous season, until the replacements were ready. The cars were outdated and showed their age on the circuit.

The Tyrrell 007 made its racing debut at the Spanish Grand Prix with Scheckter serving as the pilot. Depailler still drove a 006 from the previous season. Over the next two seasons, Scheckter would manage to score three victories in the car. In 1974, the team finished in third place in the Constructors' Championship.

The Tyrrell 007 was designed by Derek Gardner and borrowed designs from both McLaren and Ferrari. In the front, the bulk nose and wings of the prior Tyrrell cars were replaced with smaller wings and a smoother nose. A new slimmed-down airbox was used, instead of a round design as with the prior cars.

For the 1976 season, Tyrrell made a bold and innovative move by introducing a very unique vehicle to the sport of Formula One. Formula 1 is about creativity, ingenuity, and being at the forefront of technology. Tyrrell explored the prospects of a six-wheeled vehicle, with their P34.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007

This Tyrrell 007 is chassis number 003. It was driven by Jody Scheckter during the Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport Park on September 22nd of 1974. The car was retired prematurely. It is now used in historic competitions.

There were six examples created. Four were built in 1974 and two more the following year. Tyrrell Racing used them in GP competitions in 1974, 1975, and 1976.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012