A few years ago, the Autosport show in Birmingham paid tribute to the career of Sir Jackie Stewart, the three-time F1 world champion driver famous for his driving skills and his legendary Scottish tartan which adorned his helmets and sometimes his cars.
While his Formula 1 titles represent the pinnacle of his driving career, Sir Jackie Stewart began his motorsport career under the name AN Other – so his mother wouldn't discover he was racing – driving a variety of cars, some of which we were fortunate enough to rediscover at this show. Here is a small selection.
Ford Cortina Lotus:
Arguably the best car of its time, it would never be one of Sir Jackie Stewart's favorites. He would, however, compete in numerous races at its wheel, achieving many successes against drivers such as Jim Clark, John Whitmore, and Jack Sears.
Jaguar E-Type:
“One of the most fantastic machines ever built,” commented Sir Jackie Stewart of the E-Type he drove in the 1960s for the legendary team boss John Coombs. “It was truly an honor to drive that car for John,” he added.
Lotus Elan:
Sir Jackie Stewart will make sparks fly at the wheel of the “fragile but fast” Lotus Elan of the famous Colin Chapman entered by Graham Warner’s Chequered Flag team against his rival and friend Jim Clark, also in a Lotus Elan entered by Ron Harris’ Team Lotus.
Cooper Monaco:
The car that would open the doors to Formula 1 for him. Stewart impressed at Goodwood driving the Cooper Monaco for the Ecosse team and was highly recommended to Ken Tyrrell who would later sign him for his Formula 3 team and then in Formula 1.
BRM P261:
It was at the wheel of this car that Sir Jackie Stewart began his Formula 1 career in 1965 and won his first victory at Monza that same year. His decision to join BRM would remain one of the best choices of his career, allowing him to gain invaluable experience at the highest level.
Matra MS80:
“The best Formula 1 car I’ve ever had the chance to drive.”
This is how Stewart describes the Matra MS80 with a Ford Cosworth engine which brought him 6 victories and his first World Championship title in 1969.
Tyrrell 003:
Sir Jackie Stewart gave this car victory in its first appearance at the Spanish Grand Prix in 1971 at Montjuich Park in Barcelona and continued his winning streak with 5 more victories and his second World Championship title.
Tyrrell 006:
The Formula 1 car that would allow him to win his third World Championship title in 1973. Designed by Derek Gardner, this short-chassis F1 car would win 5 victories and would be described as “ ultra-fast but very difficult to drive ” by “the Flying Scotsman”.
Stewart SF1:
The first Formula 1 car to bear the Stewart name. Driven by Rubens Barrichello, the car finished 2nd in the Monaco Grand Prix in 1997 in what was only its 5th race.
Standing at just 1.60 meters tall, Sir Jackie Stewart remains one of the great names in motorsport, not only for his 27 victories, 43 podium finishes, and 17 pole positions in Formula 1, but also for his commitment to improving safety conditions in races—a crusade close to his heart, having witnessed the deaths of many of his fellow drivers. Believing that drivers weren't paid to take reckless risks, his campaign led to the introduction of numerous technical innovations focused on driver safety.
He will also remain one of the first, if not the first, professional drivers to realize the commercial power of motorsport. His professionalism was so pronounced that when he signed his first sponsorship contract with a watch manufacturer, he changed his wardrobe and had all his shirts custom-made with a wider sleeve at the wrist on the watch side. " That way, when I'm photographed, my watch is always visible ," he stated (and, as an aside, he still wears shirts made this way).
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