1967 Austin A 35 Van - Ex James hunt

There have been few Grand Prix drivers who "lived the life" as openly and publicly as the late James Hunt. Flamboyance and a defiance of convention were as much a part of James as his skilled and calculated driving. A career path that took him from a Formula III driver nick-named as "The Shunt", through the wonderful fun of the adventure that was Hesketh Grand Prix (please make sure to see the 308 Grand Prix winning Hesketh in this very sale, to a World Championship winning season with McLaren. James famously walked away from Formula One after a lack lustre half season with Walter Wolf, and managed to forge one of the most celebrated of commentating double-acts with Murray Walker at the BBC. A pairing celebrated and enjoyed by motor racing enthusiasts for many a long year.

When James' personal effects came to be sold before the end of 1993, this A 35 was taxed and tested and still had James' last smoked "dog ends" in the ash tray. The rear load area also had a sprinkling of "Trill" as James used it to transport his beloved budgies around to shows. The car was bought by its current owner at the Brooks Olympia sale in December 1993 and has subsequently been in store for the last 18 years. The A 35 starts and runs, driving well, despite its extended lay off. It will probably require some attention before being put back onto the road, but it seems to be mechanically sound. This van is surely a unique opportunity to own a World Champions' "Road Car of Choice", and it comes with a wealth of reciepts for work done during James's ownership and a selection of books and magazines which give reference to his ownership of this car and to his life in general.