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Grand Prix Cars

A List of the Iconic Grand Prix Cars

The Most Iconic Race Cars Ever Made

The Greatest Grand Prix & Formula 1 Cars

Here is a look back at some of the race cars that defined Grand Prix racing since the early days. We have broken these cars into three broad groups. The pre-war cars that were really the world's first formal race cars. The names are forgotten but note that these were special cars made by the best of the best of the era. The next group is the post-war grand prix race cars, with familiar names like Bugatti, Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo all featured. The final group is that of the official era of Formula 1, the post 1950 era of modern F1 cars. We don't cover every single car, just the ones we feels are special and iconic, the cars that changed the game.

Pre-War Grand Prix Cars (The First Race Cars)

The Early 1900s. Motor racing started to take shape in France around 1884, quickly evolving from simple races from one village to another to sophisticated events. Before the outbreak of WW2, F1 was known purely as Grand Prix. It was an era of danger, dashing drivers and amazing cars.

Panhard et Levassor Rene Panhard was an engineer whose business, based in Paris, made woodworking tools. In 1887...
Mercedes 1908 GP Car: Mercedes 1908 GP / Engine: 4-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Mercedes / Bore X Stroke:...
Richard-Brasier The partnership between Richard and Brasier lasted less than four years. During the 1890s George Richard and...
Mors 60 HP Car: Mors 60 HP/ Engine: 4 Cylinder In-Line / Maker: Mors / Bore X Stroke:...
Spyker 60 HP Car: Spyker 60 HP / Engine: 6 Cylinder In-Line / Maker: Spyker / Bore X...
Napier 30 HP Car: Napier 30-40 HP/ Engine: 4 Cylinder In-Line / Maker: Napier / Bore X Stroke:...
Mercedes 1914 GP Car: Mercedes 18/100 / Engine: Water-Cooled, M93654, Inline-4 / Maker: Mercedes / Bore X Stroke: 93...
fiat130m
Fiat 130HP F-2 Car: Fiat 130HP / Engine: 4 Cylinder in-line twin block / Maker: Fiat / Bore X...
Peugeot 1912 L76 Car: Peugeot 1912 L76 / Engine: 4-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Peugeot / Bore X Stroke:...
Renault 1906 Car: Renault 1906 / Engine: 4 Cylinder In-line / Maker: Renault / Bore X Stroke: 160...

Post-War Race Cars (The Pace Increases)

New road racing circuits were being built throughout Europe, riding mechanics were banned and the first World Championship was organized and included the French, Italian and Belgian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. This championship was between manufactures rather than drivers. Alfa Romeo won that inaugural year and celebrated the victory by incorporating a laurel wreath into its badge. It was an era of rapid development and growth. We saw names like Bugatti, Mercedes and Ferrari, as well as the fearsome Silver Arrows from Germany. After 6 years of World War II, most of Europe lay in ruins including much of its automobile industry. Germany was still banned from racing when in September of 1945 the first race meeting were held. World War Two ended in Europe in May 1945 and by September the first postwar meeting was taking place.

Mercedes W125 Car: Mercedes W125 / Engine: 8-Cylinder In-line Supercharged / Maker: Daimler-Benz / Bore X Stroke: 94...
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Sunbeam GP (1923) Car: Sunbeam GP / Engine: 4 Cylinder In-Line / Maker: Sunbeam / Bore X Stroke:...
Bugatti Type 32 Car: Bugatti Type 32  / Engine: Inline-8 / Maker: Bugatti / Bore X Stroke: 60...
Mercedes SSKL Car: Mercedes SSKL / Engine: 6-Cylinder In-line supercharged / Maker: Mercedes / Bore X Stroke: 100...
Mercedes W 25 Car: Mercedes W25 / Engine: 8-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Daimler-Benz / Bore X Stroke: 78...
Mercedes W 165 Car: Mercedes W165 / Engine: 600 V12 / Maker: Daimler-Benz / Bore X Stroke: 64 mm...
Miller 91 Car:  Miller 91 / Engine: Straight 8 Supercharged / Maker: Miller / Bore X Stroke: 55.5...
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Bugatti 57G Tank Car: Bugatti 57G  / Engine: Inline-8 / Maker: Bugatti / Bore X Stroke: 72 mm...
1921 Duesenberg Grand Prix
Duesenberg 1921 GP Car: Duesenberg 1921 GP/ Engine: 8-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Duesenberg / Bore X Stroke: 63...
Mercedes W 163 Car: Mercedes W163 / Engine: 600 V12 / Maker: Daimler-Benz / Bore X Stroke: 67 mm...
Fiat 804
Fiat 804 Car: Fiat 804 / Engine: Type 404 Inline-6 / Maker: Fiat / Bore X Stroke: 65...
Bugatti Type 35
Bugatti Type 35 Car: Bugatti Type 35  / Engine: Inline-8 / Maker: Bugatti / Bore X Stroke: 60...
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Delage 15 S8 Car: Delage 15 S8  / Engine: Inline-8; DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl; Roots Supercharger /...
Alfa Romeo P2
Alfa Romeo P2 Car: Alfa Romeo P2  / Engine: 8-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Alfa Romeo / Bore X...
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Cisitalia D46 Car: Cisitalia D46  / Engine: Inline-4 / Maker:  Cisitalia / Bore X Stroke: 68.1 x 74.9...
Maserati 8CTF Car: Maserati 8CTF/ Engine: Straight 8 / Maker: Maserati / Bore X Stroke: 69.0 mm (2.7...
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Delahaye 145 Grand Prix Car: Delahaye 145 GP / Engine: 60º V12 / Maker: Delahaye / Bore X Stroke:...
Mercedes W 154 Car: Mercedes W154 / Engine: 600 V12 / Maker: Daimler-Benz / Bore X Stroke: 67 mm...

Formula 1 Race Cars

In 1950 a World Championship for drivers was introduced. The championship would be decided based on the results of seven races: the British, Swiss, Monaco, Belgium, French and Italian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. The era of Formula 1 had begun. The cars that have defined racing since then were largely a result of the rapid change in technology and rules governing the sport. The cars we remember are the ones that pushed the limits and found ways to change the game.

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Brabham-Alfa BT46 Car: Brabham-Alfa BT46  / Engine: Flat-12 Alfa Romeo / Maker: Brabham / Bore X Stroke: 77...
Lancia D50
Lancia D50 Car: Lancia D50 / Engine: 90º V8 / Maker: Lancia / Bore X Stroke: 73.6 X 73.1...
Connaught-b-2-4737
Connaught Continental Cars Ltd. built their first proper racing car in 1949 using a 1,767cc Lea-Francis engine. Typical...
Williams-Ford FW07B Car: Williams-Ford FW07B / Engine: Cosworth DFV 90º V8 / Maker: Williams / Bore X Stroke: 85.7 mm...
BRM Type 15
BRM Type 15 Car: BRM Type 15  / Engine: 135º V16 Supercharged / Maker: BRM / Bore X...
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Ferrari 375 Car: Ferrari 375 / Engine: 600 V12 / Maker: Ferrari / Bore X Stroke: 80 mm X...
Tyrrell-Ford P34 Car: Tyrrell-Ford P34/ Engine: V-8 Ford-Cosworth DFV / Maker: Tyrrell / Bore X Stroke: 85.7 mm...
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Ferrari 312T Car: Ferrari 312T / Engine: 1800 12-Cylinder Boxer / Maker: Ferrari / Bore X Stroke: 80 mm...
Lotus 25 Car: Lotus-Climax 25 / Engine: 90 Deg V8 Coventry-Climax / Maker: Lotus / Bore X Stroke: 63 mm...
Maserati 4CLT Car: Maserati 4CLT / Engine: Straight 4; 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC; Twin Roots-Type Superchargers / Maker:...
Lotus 72 Car: Lotus-Ford 72 / Engine: 900 V8 Ford-Cosworth DFV / Maker: Lotus / Bore X Stroke: 85.7...
Mercedes W 196 Car: Mercedes W196 / Engine: 8-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Mercedes-Benz / Bore X Stroke: 76...
Ferrari 500
Ferrari 500 Car: Ferrari 500 / Engine: 4-Cylinder In-Line / Maker: Ferrari / Bore X Stroke: 98 X 76 mm...
Red Bull RB 7 Car: Red Bull RB7 / Engine: Renault RS27-2011 90º V8 / Maker: Red Bull...
McLaren MP4/4 Car: McLaren MP4/4 / Engine: Honda RA168E, 1,494 cc (91.2 cu in), 80° turbocharged V6 / Maker:...
Honda RA273
Honda RA273 Car: Honda RA273 / Engine: 90º V12 / Maker: Honda / Bore X Stroke: – / Year:...
Vanwall Car: Vanwall 1957 GP / Engine: 4-Cylinder DOHC / Maker: Vanwall / Bore X Stroke: 96 mm X...
BRM P261
BRM P56 Car: BRM B56  / Engine: 90º V8 / Maker: BRM / Bore X Stroke: 68.5 X...
Renault RS11 Car: Renault RS11 / Engine: Turbocharged 900 V6 / Maker: Renault / Bore X Stroke: 86 mm...
1959_Cooper_Climax_T51_Goodwood,_2009
Cooper T51 Car: Cooper-Climax T51 / Engine: 4 Cylinder Inline Coventry-Climax / Maker: Cooper / Bore X Stroke:...
Tyrrell-Ford 002 Car: Tyrrell-Ford 002 / Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV 90º V8 / Maker: Tyrrell / Bore X...
Lotus 49 Car: Lotus-Ford 49 / Engine: 900 V8 Ford-Cosworth DFV / Maker: Lotus / Bore X Stroke: 85.7 x...
Gerlach Delissen
March 711 Car: March-Ford 711 / Engine: 900 V8 Ford-Cosworth DFV / Maker: March / Bore X Stroke: 92.5 mm...
Matra MS80 Car: Matra MS80 / Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV 90º V8 / Maker: Matra / Bore X...
Penske PC4 Car: Penske PC4 / Engine: 900 V8 Ford-Cosworth DFV / Maker: Mercedes / Bore X Stroke:...
312b3
Ferrari 312B Car: Ferrari 312B / Engine: 1800 12-Cylinder Boxer / Maker: Ferrari / Bore X Stroke: 80 mm X...
Maserati 250 F Car: Maserati 250 F / Engine: 6-Cylinder In-line / Maker: Maserati / Bore X Stroke: 84 mm...
Ferrari 156
Ferrari 156 Car: Ferrari 156 / Engine: 120 degree V6 / Maker: Ferrari / Bore X Stroke: 73 mm...
Ferrari-F2002-111
Ferrari F2002 Car: Ferrari F2002 / Engine: Ferrari type 051 90° V10, Naturally Aspirated / Maker: Ferrari /...
Lotus 33 Car: Lotus-Climax 33 / Engine: Coventry Climax FWMV 90º V8 / Maker: Lotus / Bore X...
Lotus 79 Car: Lotus-Ford 79 / Engine: 900 V8 Ford-Cosworth DFV / Maker: Lotus / Bore X Stroke: 92.5...
McLaren M7A Car: McLaren M7A / Engine: V-8 Ford-Cosworth / Maker: McLaren / Bore X Stroke: 85.7 mm X...
Renault R26 Car: Renault R26 / Engine: RS26, Mid-mounted 2.4 litre V8 (90°) / Maker: Renault / Year: 2006...
Talbot-Lago Antonio Franco Lago was an Italian engineer and motor-industry entrepreneur.The Anglo-French STD (Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq) combine had collapsed during...
McLaren M23 Car: McLaren M23 / Engine: V-8 Ford-Cosworth / Maker: McLaren / Bore X Stroke: 85.7 mm X...