Wolf's Debut

1/43 Minichamps Wolf WR1 Argentine GP Winner 1977
Jody Scheckter

This car has long been in the works and took some time before they could release this. Sadly, I wasnt able to get this thru an online store as they were quickly sold out. My sister who lives in the States, gave this car to me as a gift. She found it in an obscure store near her place.



Jody Scheckter won during Wolf's debut in Argentina

After supporting the Frank Williams run Formula team in the 1975 season, Walter Wolf formed his own team in 1976. The Austrian born Canadian decided to some of his hard-earned oil-money in Grand Prix racing. For his first season as a team owner he used three ex-Williams/Hesketh chassis. Being at least a season old, it came as no surprise that the results of the second hand cars were no better than mediocre.

Frustrated by the poor results, Wolf assembled a group of talented designers to construct a completely new car for the 1977 season. Appointed as chief designer was Harvey Postlethwaite, who made his successful debut designing the Grand Prix winning Hesketh. His design for Wolf was much along the lines of most of the 1970s 'Cosworth kit-cars'. It consisted of an aluminum monocoque with a Cosworth DFV engine bolted directly onto it as a stressed member.

Livered in dark blue and gold, the WR1 made its debut in the 1977 season opening Argetinian Grand Prix. The team's principle driver was the young South African talent Jody Scheckter. The 1976 season was long forgotten after the WR1's stunning debut, in which Scheckter drove the brand new car to a victory. He kept his good form throughout the season, scoring many podium finishes and two more victories, one at Monaco and one at the team's home Grand Prix in Canada. Like Postlethwaite's Heskeths, the WR1 featured an extra bolted on front wing at some Grands Prix.