Estimate:$1,250,000 - $1,750,000Vin: 4AEngine: V 8Transmission: Manual 5 Speed475HP, 2,993cc, Lucas fuel injected Cosworth DFV V-8, 5-speed Hewland TL200 transaxle, semi-monocoque chassis, four-wheel independent suspension, 4-wheel Lockheed disc brakes. Wheelbase: 105 inches1977 may have provided the best, most exciting competition in the storied history of grand prix’s Formula One. Coming only a year after the spellbinding 1976 season featured in this year’s acclaimed movie “Rush” directed by Ron Howard, 1977 provided an unparalleled diversity of entries including the film’s protagonists, James Hunt and Niki Lauda.The 1977 entries counted sixteen different constructors, from Ferrari with its 312 T2 flat-twelve driven by Niki Lauda to his second Championship to upstarts like Ensign. They were powered by six different engines: Ferrari’s and Alfa Romeo’s flat twelves, Matra’s and BRM’s 60° V-12s, the ubiquitous Cosworth DFV V-8 and, perhaps most importantly, the debut of the turbocharged 1½ litre Renault-Gordini V-6 that presaged the coming turbo era. Six different marques won races, attesting to the competitiveness of the constructors drivers and by season’s end 21 drivers had scored points driving 12 different marques.The season was rife with subtexts, from Lauda’s increasing discomfort with Ferrari through the turbo Renault’s debut to the quiet debut of Colin Chapman’s pioneering ground-effects Lotus 78 that would a year later result in the dominant Lotus 79 and Mario Andretti’s World Championship in 1978.Americans were unusually prominent in the 1977 season. Teams from Roger Penske, Vel’s Parnelli Jones and Don Nichols’ Shadow represented the highest profile ever for America in F1. American drivers Mario Andretti, Brett Lunger and Danny Ongais plus Canadian sensation Gilles Villeneuve were a high point for North American participation in F1 not seen since the days of Phil Hill, Richie Ginther and Dan Gurney.The season brought ground breaking first wins for Walter Wolf Racing with Jody Scheckter, the Matra V-12 powered Ligier driven by Jacques Lafitte and the American Shadow team with Alan Jones in the Austrian Grand Prix held on the Österreichring on August 14, 1977, the car offered here.Shadow had begun its racing history in the North American Can-Am series in 1969. Founded by Don Nichols, it acquired sponsorship from Universal Oil Products (“UOP”) in 1971. The team’s innovative design combining tiny 12 inch diameter wheels, a low frontal area body and Chevrolet Big Block power excited the imaginations of spectators and reflected the free rules and creative spirit that characterized Can-Am. The menacing matte black UOP livery and the team’s imaginative graphics (recalling the radio show “The Shadow” of prior years) added to Shadow’s impact.In 1973 UOP’s sponsorship took Shadow to Formula One with a Tony Southgate-designed, Cosworth-powered single seater, also emphasizing the tightly-packed, compact, low frontal area concept that was Shadow’s signature. By 1975 Shadow was a contender with Welsh driver Tom Pryce, winning five pole positions.Shadow’s development program culminated in 1977 with the Cosworth powered DN8 driven by future (1980) World Champion Alan Jones after Pryce died at Kyalami in South Africa in a freak accident. At Monte Carlo Jones was 6th, then 5th two weeks later at Belgium’s daunting Zölder circuit. Jackie Oliver brought his Shadow DN8 home 9th at Anderstorp in Sweden another fortnight later. The French GP at Dijon-Prenois was a disappointment but on July 16 Jones brought home points in 7th position.Triumph came to the Shadow team, liveried in the bright white of Heinrich Villiger’s “Tabatip” filtered cigars and Italian wheat merchant, Franco Ambrosio, driven by Alan Jones at the Austrian GP on August 14 finishing twenty seconds ahead of Niki Lauda’s Ferrari 312 T2. Although Jones’ Cosworth gave up the fight at Zandvoort, he brought this Shadow DN8 home on the podium in 3rd in the Italian GP at Monza, 4th at Mosport Park in Canada and 4th again in the season-ending Japan GP on the Mt. Fuji circuit. Jones finished 7th in the season’s driver’s championship, his standing matched by Shadow’s finish in the Constructor’s championship. All his and the Shadow team’s points were earned driving chassis 4A, the car offered here.Preserved by Shadow founder Don Nichols since 1977 along with examples of all Shadow’s most important cars, Shadow DN8 chassis 4A has been meticulously restored by members of the original Shadow team. Its Cosworth DFV was rebuilt in June 2013 with only Dyno test time since.Presented in its Austrian GP winning Tabatip/Ambrosio livery, this is a singularly important and significant American grand prix car with a winning, and constantly competitive history. It is emblematic of the potential of American teams, given talented designers, drivers, determination and sufficient resources, in international competition.A flare of brilliance and perseverance, the Shadow DN8 chassis 4A will be an important addition to any collection of competition cars and the centerpiece of a collection devoted to American efforts in international competition. Fully restored by Shadow technicians from the original design drawings and race notes, its continuous history since 1977 in the hands of Don Nichols is unprecedented and will make it a premier attraction in any historic F1 grid as well as instantly competitive. Grand prix race winning history, innovative design and impeccable provenance make 1977 Shadow DN8 chassis 4A a winner for collectors of all persuasions. It beat both Niki Lauda and James Hunt and is guaranteed to give its new owner a “Rush” of exhilaration and history.

Auction InformationLOCATIONAustin Convention Center / Ballroom500 E Cesar Chavez StAustin, TX 78701PREVIEW14 November / 10am - 6pm15 November / 10am - 6pm16 November / 10am - 4pmGALA15 November / 6pm - 10pmFEATURED AUCTION16 November / 4pm - 10pm

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