The “home-built” racing car that gave James Hunt his first Formula One victory has been bought by BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans for £230,000.
The classic car collector snapped up the Hesketh 308 — driven by the flamboyant former World Champion known as “Hunt the Shunt” — at an auction in Monaco last weekend.
Hunt, whose 1976 Grand Prix duel with arch rival Niki Lauda was celebrated in the blockbuster Rush, was behind its wheel when he recorded his debut Formula One win at the Silverstone International Trophy two years previously.
Multi-millionaire broadcaster Evans has amassed one of Britain’s biggest collections of luxury cars. At the same Monaco auction he sold his 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I for £3.8 million, breaking the world record for the model.
After seeing Rush last summer he tweeted: “Just watched the James Hunt vs Lauda film RUSH. Ron Howard has absolutely nailed it. Totally. Two men, two lives, two opposites, two equals.”
The sale, held by RM Auctions and sponsored by private jet charter firm Air Partner, was attended by Lord Hesketh, who set up and funded Formula One’s last unsponsored racing team, and the late driver’s son, Freddie. The 26-year-old, said: “I am delighted to say that it was bought by none other than Chris Evans who then very kindly asked me if I would like to drive it. After many years of wanting to drive one of dad’s cars with enough time to get the tyres warm and get to know the car — not just on a three-lap demo — it finally looks like it might happen! I’m a very happy man.” The Hesketh 308-01 — powered by a three-litre Cosworth V8 engine and with an aluminium body — was one of only three built by the team set up by the 63-year-old peer.
