1979 Williams Longhorn Formula One Race Car

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: T.B.A.
Mot Expiry: N/A

Here is your opportunity to buy a Williams F1 car or, to be absolutely accurate, a Williams FW07/Longhorn LR02 Indy project which has been returned to GP car spec. Although a dummy Ford Cosworth DFV 3-litre has been fitted to the car for show purposes, a genuine FGC gearbox - and a claimed to have been rebuilt one at that - is in place. Both body and paint, in Williams team correct white and green, are said to be mint, and electrical equipment has been rebuilt. The entrant was hopeful that crack test pass papers would be on file by sale day.
In 1979, Bobby Hillin decided to upset the Indy racing form book in the US by creating the Longhorn Indy car. As the basis for his project, he acquired the Patrick Head FW07 design from Williams, who shipped two FW07s to the States - Aussie Alan Jones drove a Williams FW07 to win the 1979 F1 driver's title. Hillin hired Ed Zink to convert the F1 design to meet Indy regs, Jacky Howerton to build the car and three times Indy 500 winner Al Unser to drive it. The resultant Longhorn Racing run machine was the only moving ground effects car ever to race round the brick yard.
The Williams/Longhorn offered today is believed to be based on a genuine FW07B tub, modified to take wider bodywork and a DG300 gearbox. Later, it was modified to accept a Chevvy motor, which was removed when the car was returned to full F1 spec. Indeed, according to the entrant, it now only needs a real DFV to be a front running car in historic GP events.
We understand, too, that a large quantity of spares are included with the car, among them original Williams/Longhorn drawings and blueprints, three sets of 15in wheels, parts from both DFX and Chevvy cooling systems, a DFX turbo duct, an alcohol fuel tank, an engine cover mould, several steering rods, driveshafts, crossmember rocker mounts and machined alloy spacers, as well as four lower rear wishbones, five lower wishbones, three front rockers, four rear rockers and a wishbone template. In addition, also included are brake ducts, a gear linkage, a lower transmission pick-up, one rear anti-roll bar complete with blades, rear wing brackets, side pod mounts, sliding skirt bushes, and pairs of driveshafts, alloy disc bells and brake discs.
We are advised that, having now been fully rebuilt, this car is ready to accept a F1 engine, which, if a DFV were sourced by a new owner, this could be fitted by the vendor for £1200-£1500. You know you have always wanted to be a Williams driver - well, now's your chance!