Tyrrell P34
Derek Gardner's six-wheeled Tyrrell, with four 10-inch front wheels tucked behind the front wing to cut drag.
About the Tyrrell P34
Derek Gardner's idea was to use front tyres small enough to sit entirely behind the 1.5 m front wing, reducing drag and cleaning up the airflow to the rear wing, and four 10-inch wheels were needed to give enough grip and brake area. Unveiled at the Heathrow Hotel in September 1975, it raced from the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix and proved quick on fast circuits with long corners, but struggled on bumpy tracks where the small front tyres did not all stay in contact. Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler finished first and second in the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix. The wider, heavier P34B of 1977 was less competitive, with blame placed on its extra weight and on Goodyear's limited development of the small tyres, and Tyrrell dropped the concept for 1978.
Tyrrell P34 specs
| Make | Tyrrell |
|---|---|
| Model | P34 |
| Years | 1976–1977 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Engine | 3.0L naturally aspirated V8 (Ford Cosworth DFV) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,993 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (Hewland FG400), 6-speed in 1977 |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 595 kg (1,312 lb) |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Tyrrell P34 rarity in CarSpot
The Tyrrell P34 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 23 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Tyrrell P34 fun facts
- Jody Scheckter remains the only driver to win a race in a six-wheeled car, yet he left the team calling the P34 'a piece of junk'.
- At its launch it was hidden under a tarpaulin with hoops over the wheels to look conventional, and some guests thought it was a publicity stunt.
- It appeared in The Transformers cartoon as the Decepticon Stunticon Drag Strip.