Introduction
Over their twenty year history Williams Grand Prix Engineering have built many chassis for race, test and experimental purposes. These have ranged from the all-conquering FW14B, which was bristling with technological gizmos, to the ground breaking six-wheeler, the FW08D. A conservative estimate would put the total number of chassis built at around a total of 80, based on four chassis per year. But where have they all gone?
A number of the chassis’ have found a good home and are now residing in the Williams Museum. An example of every chassis built is kept by the team in a purpose built, marbled floored, building. Even taking these into account this still leaves about 50 other cars, so where did they go?
Historic Formula One
At least two Williams chassis’ are still seeing active service in the FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix Championship. Not only are they still being raced but they are also still winning.
In the third round of the 1998 championship in Most, Czech Republic the FW08B-08 of Bob Berridge took class A honours while rock band Genesis’ manager, Tony Smith, took his maiden victory in Class B in his FW06-4.
The FW08B originally saw action with Keke Rosburg at the wheel, while the FW06 was originally campaigned by Alan Jones.
Museums
Apart from those cars in the Williams Museum at least one other example exists in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire, England.
Promotional Displays
A few other chassis have found there way onto the promotional circuit with the likes of Rothmans. These tour the world as a glamorous way of advertising the wares of the sponsor. The most spectacular of these must be the FW18 simulator used by Rothmans on their stand at the 1997 British Grand Prix.
Can you help?
Do you know of where other Williams chassis have ended up? If so drop us an e-mail to [email protected] so that a more complete picture can be built up.
