Some 55 years after it was built, a Formula One car constructed in South Africa is set to make its international racing debut at the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco.
The event takes places over the weekend starting May 13.
Built in 1961 by South African engineer and racing driver Tony Kotzé, who sadly recently passed away, the Assegai was due to contest the 1962 Rand Grand Prix in Kyalami, but failed to qualify.
After occasional track appearances and changes of ownership, the car was purchased in August 2015 by former F1 team member and Oxfordshire classic car collector, John Carpenter.
Together with Iain Rowley and his Nuffield-based company Delta Motorsport, Carpenter went about returning the car to the same mechanical specification as when it appeared at Kyalami, in order to meet the stringent regulations of the Monaco GP organisers.
And Rowley will be the man at the wheel of the Assegai – which is powered by a 1,5-litre four-cylinder Alfa Romeo engine linked to a five-speed gearbox – when it lines up on the 3,34 km Monaco street circuit.
“Let’s hope we are more successful at Monaco than the car’s creator at Kyalami in 1962. But, whatever the outcome, it will be a hugely memorable experience, and a fitting tribute to Tony Kotzé and his unique racing car after so many years,” said Rowley.
Carpenter added that it would be “an honour” to be part of the Monaco race.
“Since buying the car at Historics at Brooklands last year, Iain and I embarked on a hugely time-consuming voyage of discovery to ensure the Assegai is presented in entirely original mechanical specification in all respects, as demanded by the organisers. It’s been a great challenge but also a real labour of love,” said Carpenter.
