1970 Tyrrell 001 Cosworth - Images, Specifications and Information

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In the 1969 F1 season the winning formula proved to be Ken Tyrrell as team manager, Jackie Stewart as driver, a Cosworth engine and a Matra chassis. For 1970 Matra refused to supply chassis to Tyrrell, and renewed their V12 program to field a complete Matra package for that season. Tyrrell was well aware of the advantages of the Cosworth DFV engine, and preferred it over the French V12. Fortunately Max Mosley's March had just launched a customer Formula 1 car, which Tyrrell prepared for his protege to drive in the opening rounds of the season. The performance of the March 701 was lackluster at best, but it bought the team some time to come with something more competitive.

In complete secrecy designer Frank Gardner worked on a completely new car for Stewart to drive. Halfway through the season the wraps were taken off the Tyrrell 001 at a non championship race at Oulton Park. It was a complete surprise to the attending crowd and Tyrrell's competitors for that matter, but a new Formula 1 constructor was born. In its design the first Tyrrell very much resembled the Matra MS80 used the year before, with its obvious coke-bottle shaped monocoque chassis. The most distinctive feature of the 001 was the hammerhead style front wing, which covered the radiator intake.

At the Italian Grand Prix, the Tyrrell 001 made its competition debut, but technical problems forced Stewart to turn to the March for the qualification and race. He used the Tyrrell for the final three races of the season, all of which he started from the first row. Unfortunately new car hiccups forced the Tyrrell to retire on all three occasions, but its potential was clear. Based on the 001, two new chassis were constructed for Stewart and Francois Cevert to drive in 1971. With these 003 and 002, respectively, Tyrrell won the first Constructor's and Stewart his second Driver's Championship.

Although not a Grand Prix winner, Tyrrell 001 will go into history as the first of a long line of great Formula 1 racers. Today this unique racer is part of a large collection of Tyrrell racers, which also includes the 002, one of the 006s and the original team transporter. Fortunately the American collector brings his precious machines out regularly for him and his son to drive. It is pictured here at one of those outings in the Thoroughbred Grand Prix race at the 2005 Silverstone Classic.