1954 | Connaught B-Type

To be a Formula 1 driver... It's probably not too much of a push to suggest that most people who read this will have at least once had that dream

Fortunately we live in a world where that dream can be bought

We're not talking about buying an existing F1 team and then one of the worlds most recognizable automotive brands to gain the opportunity (teamed with the required talent) to dice with world champions. But a much more romantic dream

The Connaught Type B Formula 1 car built by Connaught Engineering in 1954 saw action until 1958 and had great success in the period

The Type B's first major success came at the 1955 Syracuse Grand Prix where Tony Brooks took victory. The first British driver to win a Grand Prix in a British car for 31 years. Later that year his one time teammate Sir Stirling Moss would take the hat trick, winning the British Grand Prix as a British Driver in a British car

There was more success to be had, 3rd place at the Italian Grand Prix in '56, and fourth place in the factory teams last race - the 1957 Monaco Grand Prix

Before the release of Type C the Connaught team ended racing activities but one keen eyed aspiring racer saw a good opportunity and bought some of the factory cars to be campaigned in 1958

As an owner driver Bernie Ecclestone competed in one car and employed Bruce Kessler to driver another at the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix but alas not to the same success of their driving predecessors, his racing talents weren't up to the likes of Brooks but Ecclestone did ok in the world of F1 in the end

The Type B was evidently a superb race car with independent front suspension and a De Dion rear, a lightweight double overhead cam 2.5litre Atla four cylinder engine which produced 240bhp, disc brakes all round and a fabulous 4 speed pre-selector gearbox built specifically for racing all worked together to propel her 2.3meter wheel base very rapidly and very controlably

Classic cars and especially classic racing are today one of the few things that can really take us back in time; the smells, sounds and sensations are as real and visceral today as they were for messrs Brooks & Ecclestone in period

Simply because there is an appetite for it these fabulous cars still do race and our car has been quite the reliable campaigner in recent years racing at Goodwood, Silverstone, Monaco, Nurburgring etc

Easily identifiable by her Rob Walker racing livery, Rob Walker is largely regarded as the most successful privateer team in F1 history, B4 has valid FIA papers until 31st December 2025 and with recent entries into all the major races will provide her new owner access to the most exclusive grids in the world

Looked after by our friends Michael Hibberd for the last 10 years they have carefully prepared her for racing and dutifully ensured that she has always been in top running order

More recently Mr Hibberd has restored her, rebuilding the engine (now a healthy 270bhp or so) and gearbox entirely at a cost of circa €150,000 and she sports a 5th gear too

The chance to race a dream