With the hype over the new Ron Howard movie Rush – which focuses on the epic Hunt vs Lauda tussle in the 1976 F1 season – reaching fever pitch, it has emerged that the British driver's 1977 McLaren M26 is to be auctioned for the first time.
The DFV-powered car, in which Hunt took his last Grand Prix victory at Japan, will go under the hammer at RK Motors Collector Car Auctions' sale at Charlotte Convention Center from 31 October to 3 November.
"We’re proud to present this unique investment opportunity for any collector who is passionate about one of the world’s most remarkable chapters of racing history," said Bill Mathews, vice president of auctions, RKMCCA. "With Rush scheduled for national release later this month, the adrenaline-charged saga of Hunt and rival Lauda will no longer belong only to motor sports enthusiasts – it will introduce new generations to the pure joy and the agony of racing."
James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car