Tyrrell P34 questions for any F1 buffs out there

[klutz_100]

I was wondering if you could help me with 2 things:

1. Does the 1976 P34 make use of carbon fibre anywhere in its construction. I think not but would like some confirmation or correction on this.
   
   
2. Does anyone have some good 1976 version reference materials for engine, cockpit suspension etc.? I already have the stuff available on project34.com and some stuff from the usual Google search but would really like more if anyone has seen this machine in person

Cheers and thanks in advance for any help you can provide

[gtziaf]

I think carbon fibre starting to used in mid 80s, in F1.
Also, I found impossible to find it P34.
Good luck with your project

[jano11]

F1 chassis in the 70's were made of aluminum, CF was used for the chassis starting with the 80's.

This is one of the best sites I know for F1 related detail photos:

http://www.gurneyflap.com/formule170%27s2.html

You'll find the P34 about 1/3 down the page.
However given that in the 70's most F1 cars were using the same Ford Cosworth engine you can surely take a look and get some inspiration from the other 70's Tyrell pictures you'll find on the site (I saw there are quite a few of them).

[puffyrs]

Hi
Not to sure which year this is but I have a few photos of this car.





Cheers

[taliesen]

Klutz, I've been having the same issue with finding 76 version pics - seems like most of the pics taken recently are the 77/First National City version, I'm guessing they updated most of the 76s into the 77, so the 76s are much harder to find. I did see one shot of one at the 2008 Monterey Historics, though, so someone's got to have some more. If you manage to find anything good, I'd definitely be interested in snagging them as well - if I find anything, though, I'll let you know . . . .

[Seamus McRae]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

I was wondering if you could help me with 2 things:

1. Does the 1976 P34 make use of carbon fibre anywhere in its construction. I think not but would like some confirmation or correction on this.
   
   
2. Does anyone have some good 1976 version reference materials for engine, cockpit suspension etc.? I already have the stuff available on project34.com and some stuff from the usual Google search but would really like more if anyone has seen this machine in person

Cheers and thanks in advance for any help you can provide

To answer your q?'s:
1 No c/f to be found anywhere on the car
2 pics are hard to come by. In respect of engine details, look for any car which ran a DFV from mid/late 60's through to mid 80's

[Seamus McRae]

Originally Posted by puffyrs

Hi
Not to sure which year this is but I have a few photos of this car.





Cheers

I'd hazard this car is not as raced in '77 - it looks more like a car modded to race in the GP Thoroughbreds series. Whilst I don't have my kit of the '77 car handy, I certainly don't remember those cutouts in the front aerofoil for the cooling group. The main cowling is also lacking the see-through section for the driver to observe the front wheels. Not sure if this was a race-by-race situation, but everything I have seen of the P34 has the windows. Good ref for the Elf Blue though

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by taliesen

Klutz, I've been having the same issue with finding 76 version pics - seems like most of the pics taken recently are the 77/First National City version, I'm guessing they updated most of the 76s into the 77, so the 76s are much harder to find. I did see one shot of one at the 2008 Monterey Historics, though, so someone's got to have some more. If you manage to find anything good, I'd definitely be interested in snagging them as well - if I find anything, though, I'll let you know . . . .

PM me your email address. JayKay (thanks buddy!) has sent me some great stuff.

The '76 version sure is the hardest to find but the really hard thing is figuring out which photo fits which race in any season!
IIRC I read somewhere that there were over a dozen configurations for this car (in only 2 seasons!!!!!!!) Basically it changed with every race.
On top of that, the Tamiya kit doesn't seem to agree with the one they have in their very own museum and was used as a base for making the kit!

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by Seamus McRae

I'd hazard this car is not as raced in '77 - it looks more like a car modded to race in the GP Thoroughbreds series. Whilst I don't have my kit of the '77 car handy, I certainly don't remember those cutouts in the front aerofoil for the cooling group. The main cowling is also lacking the see-through section for the driver to observe the front wheels. Not sure if this was a race-by-race situation, but everything I have seen of the P34 has the windows. Good ref for the Elf Blue though

I believe that the Tamiya '77 Monaco kit is different basically only in the decal scheme. The reason they chose that particular version is that it was the only race in the 1977 season that used the SAME body/nose as in the '76 car and therefore didn't need to go through major re-molding process.

Based on my limited research reading, I have concluded that most of the '77 cars had an upgraded cooling (big problem with this car) system with the two openings on the nose cone and a second radiator by the rear spoiler.

The cars were also very inconsistent with regards the side windows. Some had them, some didn't an don others they were much larger than the ones in the Tamiya kits

[mn80228]

I am no expert in the P34, but I know some people who are...

Try getting in touch with RMMotorsports. Their website is the same, just a dot com.

They recently completed restoration of a Six-Wheeler that won the 2008 Monterey Historics for the class.

They used to have a bunch of pictures of it on their website, but I can't find them at the moment.
But I am sure they would have the knowledge to answer any questions you may have.
Not sure how forthcoming they might be, but asking nice never hurt.

Good luck!