Maybe the Tyrell P34 is not forgotten..

[chris]

Here we have a new sports car, that revives a classic, and at the time highly radical idea that was made famous by race-car constructor Ken Tyrell, with the six-wheeled, Cosworth DFV powered P34 Grand Prix car.

The new car is called Covini C6W:

http://www.coviniengineering.com/images/ver8.jpg

More images here:
http://www.coviniengineering.com/english/c6w_3.htm

It looks a bit ungainly, and strange. It is powered by a 4.2 litre Audi V8. The engine isn't labelled Audi, but I've seen enough of Ingolstadt's 8 cylinder engines to know one when I see one. The huge "V8" badging is classic Audi stuff.

I mentioned before the Tyrell P34.. If you don't know what it is (and I suspect some of our visitors may not have seen it, or heard of it), then here is a view showing what made it special:

http://www.project34.co.uk/pictures/Monzatgp2003/large/P34Monza2003%20002.jpg

You can see clearly the 4 front disc brakes, and the suspension design used.

But even better, you can see it in action:

http://www.project34.co.uk/video/onboard_p34.avi

You can see the old Kyalami circuit, and watch Patrick Depailler dancing it through the long sweeping curves at high speed. You can also hear the wonderful sound of the Cosworth DFV V8 engine. :love:

The following video is also particularly good:
http://www.project34.co.uk/video/PD-monaco-1976DivX.avi

More videos of this amazing race car are here:
http://www.project34.co.uk/video/video.htm

[blackice111288]

i wonder how it handles with having 4 front wheels. do they all steer? i notice they are 15's and the rear are 20's. what the heck? i bet that has to be the weirdest handling car....

[chris]

Well, you saw Patrick Depailler racing the Tyrell around the old Kyalami, the concept works well.

Effectively you are increasing front grip.

All of the front wheels steer.

Williams I think did a 6 wheeled F1 car as well, but with 4 driven wheels at the back. Someone else did a 6 wheeled car too, either March or Matra.

[blackice111288]

yeah, ive been knowing about the tyrell since like , what, 4th grade. i used to like all those old race cars, and belive it or not, muscle cars.

but wouldnt four steering tires create understeer and the big tires in the back kinda oversteer a little bit. i would think that because smaller diameter wheels spin faster than wheels with large diameters. &(

[chris]

The four steering wheels at the front made it turn better.

The Tyrell P34 was very effective.

But still, some of the old cars from that era leave me wondering why they bothered - the Ligier "Teapot" being one of them..

The nickname "Teapot" came from the huge tall airbox extending up from behind the drivers cabin.

[VQ]

Looks pretty kool to me.