TN Cars at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix: The Best Formula 1 Cars

Photos: Miguel Tillous

For many the Formula 1 of the 50s, 60s and 70s was, is and will be unbeatable† Not necessarily because every last time was better, but because it combined technical development, talent behind the wheel, duels and risk in doses not seen anymore.

Also read: Living legend: The pre-1985 F1s return to the track at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix

What some don’t know is that it’s still possible to see those cars that set the category on fire spin and very fast† The appointment is in the exclusive Monaco, more precisely in the circuit of Montecarlo, without doubt one of the most emblematic for “La Máxima”.

In order to participate, the cars must be original and have a certain sporting history. Photo: Miguel Tillous.

TN Autos was there this weekend to report on the Historic Monaco Grand Prix, a race in which F1 cars from up to 1985 take to the track. And not only that: in order to participate, they must be in original condition and even fit into the advertisements of the time. A pleasure for the senses.

For every taste

Organized by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM), this is one of the most select and attractive events for classic car enthusiasts, as in one weekend some of the most winning machines in F1 history†

The special feature of this year is that cars from until 1985while they were normal until 1980.

But it is not an exhibition. It is serious and there are also accidents. Photo: Miguel Tillous.

There were more than 200 cars divided into 8 categoriesand to get an idea of the quality of the machines seen, there were 14 cars that were world champions at least once.

In addition, two very special anniversaries were celebrated this year. On the one hand, the 40 years of the death of Colin Chapman, the brilliant founder of Lotus; on the other hand, the 70th Anniversary of the Monaco GPthe mythical circuit of which 80% of its original layout has been preserved.

The categories of the Monaco Historic GP

Category A1. Includes pre-WWII Grand Prix cars. The predecessors of Formula 1 we know today (which were so named in 1950) are known as Grand Prix.

Category A2. They are Formula 1 between 1950 and 1960, including the entire period of glory of Juan Manuel Fangio maximum.

Category B. Includes F1 cars with 1.5 liter rear engine, from 1961 to 1965. It corresponds to the era of Jim Clark and Graham Hill, and brands such as Lotus, Lola, Brabham, BRM, Ferrari, etc.

C category. Sports cars with front engine only and covers from 1952 to 1957. There are machines from Jaguar, Maserati, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Cooper and Frazer Nash. Several Argentinians are participating in this!

Under the Sport there was the presence of several Argentinians. One of them, with this Maserati. Photo: Miguel Tillous.

Category D. Corresponds to the 3 liter F1. It goes from 1966 to 1972, and there are the first cars with a Cosworth engine, Ferrari 312, BRM V12. It’s the time of Jackie Stewart, Chris Amon, Graham Hill, John Surtees and so many other great drivers.

Category E. Including the F1 between 1973 and 1976, always with 3-litre engines. Maybe surnames like Lauda, Reutemann, Fittipaldi etc. sound familiar to you. It is a category with a lot of variety of chassis and most Cosworth engines, with the exception of Ferrari, Matra or BRM

Category F. From 1977 to 1980, and corresponds to the time of the so-called “ground effect” (Lotus 78). Reutemann won with a Williams in Monaco 1980!

Category G (the novelty of this edition)† F1 cars from 1981 to 1985, always with 3 liter engines. Here comes some from Prost and Senna!

SELECCIN TN AUTOS

Our selection of best cars we saw last weekend in monaco it is based on the importance of those units, on the design and on the history they carry on their backs. And well, also a bit of our whim. Here they go one by one, with a detail of the car below each photo and the reason for the choice.