Chris Amon’s bad luck as a racing driver is legendary. Despite undeniable talent he failed to win a single World Championship Grand Prix in his long career. He sometimes found himself in the right team, but usually at the wrong time. In other near misses he had almost certain victories snatched away by mechanical failures. For 1974 the New Zealander decided that his best option was to construct his own Formula 1 car.
The Amon AF101 Formula 1 Car
The Amon AF101, painted distinctively in sky blue, was a visionary design. It featured a fuel tank positioned behind the driver’s seat, inboard breaks and use of titanium suspension components. Power came from the ubiquitous Cosworth DFV, driven through a reliable Hewland gearbox.
Amon signed Larry Perkins, a young Australian driver, to help him with testing duties. Initially, there were plane to also construct a Formula 5000 machine but these were soon forgotten. Testing quickly revealed structural weaknesses in the car. Throughout its brief career the AF101 would be plagued by breakages and vibrations problems. Amon was lucky to escape from a high-speed accident during testing at Goodwood. In the April, 1998 issue of Motor Sport magazine, Amon summarised the car’s shortcomings;
“The first time I ran it, at Goodwood, a wheel fell off. The same thing happened at Silverstone, along with a few other bits and pieces. I only had to get in and something would fall off.”
Amon Struggles During 1974 Formula 1 Season
After a long delay the AF101 finally appeared at the 1974 International Trophy, held at Silverstone. Although Amon practiced the car it was far from ready and did not start the race. The Amon’s first World Championship appearance came at the Spanish Grand Prix, where its owner qualified the car 23rd on the grid. It lasted 23 laps in the race before a brake-shaft failed.
The AF101 was next seen in action at Monaco, where Amon recorded the 20th fastest time in qualifying. After experiencing severe vibration problems he decided discretion was the better part of valour and the car was withdrawn.
Amon was ill over the German Grand Prix weekend, which resulted in an unexpected Formula 1 debut for Perkins. The Nurburgring was the most undesirable circuit imaginable for someone to master a Grand Prix car and Perkins predictable failed to qualify. The final appearance of the AF101 was at Monza, with Amon back in the cockpit. After failing to qualify he shut down his operation and finished the year driving for BRM. In recent years the AF101 has been restored and driven in historic racing.
The Life W12 Formula 1 debacle.
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