For the 1970’s season, Ken Tyrrell faced a dilemma that was not easy to solve. He wanted to continue to use the Ford Cosworth DFV engine that helped his Team to win both 1969 World Championships but could not race the Matra chassis anymore.

 

He then turned to the new race car constructor March and bought a couple of 701 chassis for Jackie Stewart and Johnny Servoz-Gavin.

 

Not satisfied with the lack of competitivity of the March chassis, Ken Tyrrell hired Derek Gardner to design the new Tyrrell chassis.

 

Gardner had no previous experience in motorsports and worked, secretly on the project, from his home office.

 

The result was the first model of a unique series of race cars, adapted, one by one, to their drivers, all designed by Derek Gardner, until 1973.

 

Except for the 006, from which 3 models where built (006/1, 006/2 and 006/3) all the other chassis where unique and the model number was also the chassis number.

 

The Tyrrell-Ford 001was presented at the end of 1970 and, driven by Jackie Stewart in the final three races of that season, looked very competitive from the beginning.

 

The chassis was an aluminium monocoque, the front and rear suspensions used double wishbones and coil springs with dampers, the gearbox was a Hewland FG400 5-speed manual, the power was delivered by the V8 90 degrees Ford-Cosworth DFV, 2,993 cc, naturally aspirated engine and the tyres were supplied by Dunlop.

 

The 001 has been used by Steward also in the first race of 1971, with new Goodyear tyres, after Dunlop withdraw from F1, and was replaced by the 002 and 003 chassis for the remainder of the 71’ season.

 

With a new airbox intake for the engine, a longer wheelbase and a narrower chassis, the 002 fitted better to François Cevert, that was taller than Stewart. With this car, Cevert raced all the 71’ season and almost all the next season, winning his first and only GP at Watkins Glen in October 71 and finishing third in that Year’s World Championship.

 

For Jackie Stewart, Gardner designed the 003 chassis, very similar to the 002, that revealed as the most victorious of all Tyrrell chassis. With this car Stewart won 6 races in 1971 and 2 in 72. A new and more aerodynamic front bodywork was fitted to both chassis during de 1971 season, improved its handling and lead Stewart to win his second World Championship.

 

The 1972 season was dominated by Lotus with its renewed 72 model driven by a young Emerson Fittipaldi, and the best that Stewart and Cevert could do was to keep the momentum and hope for a more competitive 73’ season.

 

The 004 chassis was very similar to 002 and 003 and has been occasionally driven by Stewart and Patrick Depailler, during the 1972’ season, without great success.

 

Meanwhile Gardner was designing a new car, the 005 chassis, with shorter wheelbase, but with similar to the older models in suspensions, engine and transmission. The main novelty was the inboard ventilated disc brakes, front and rear, most probably inspired by the Lotus 72 and a more accurate and advanced aerodynamics. The car was presented during the 72’ season and was driven by Stewart in four final races of the year and in some races during the next season.

 

The short wheelbase of the 005 fitted well to Stewart style and he won the two final races of 72’ season.

The 006 chassis was designed for Cevert, to replace the 002. Very similar to the 005, but more advanced and competitive, this was the first Tyrrell F1 to become a model, as the team build 3 of these cars, the original 006, then a new 006/2 chassis and the final 006/3.

 

The car was presented later in 72’ and raced the last two Grand Prix of that season, driven by Cevert.

 

The 1973 season revealed to be the tragic end for the most glorious period for Ken Tyrrell and his Formula 1 team.

 

At the wheel of 006 and 006/2 chassis, and in his final season as racing driver, Jackie Stewart won 5 Grand Prix and his third World Championship, defeating Emerson Fittipaldi in a Lotus that parted its efforts between the Brazilian driver and Ronnie Peterson.

 

Before the final race of the year, at the Watkins Gleen USA circuit, Stewart had already decided to retire from competition but didn’t race what would be his last and 1000Grand Prix.

 

During the practice, his teammate, friend and protégé François Cevert crashed and died at the wheel of the brand new 006/3 chassis.

 

Devastated by the loss of another friend in this so dangerous sport, Stewart took the decision and retired from the race.

 

This was also the tragic end to this unique fairy tale.

 

Until its end, in 1998, Tyrrell Racing would never recover the competitivity of this golden period. From the 001 to the 006 were made 8 chassis and between 1971 and 1973 the team won 16 Grand Prix, 12 Pole Positions and 3 World Championships, 2 for Drivers and 1 for Constructors.