F3 History

Announced in early 1966 in Brazil, the Willys-Gávea was claimed to be suitable for F3, F2 even F1, the spaceframe chassis was built from 1.25 inch tubing and was fitted with a Renault engine and gearbox, outboard discs and Dunlop tyres were also included. The car raced in F3 guise in the 1966 Temporada series without much success, the best finish was ninth at the second round held at Parque Independencia in Argentina, and any F1 or F2 versions would seem to have been non-starters. The driver of the Willys-Gávea was Wilson Fittipaldi, later to enter F1 with the Brabham and Copersucar teams in the mid-seventies, he was of course also brother of Emerson and father of Christian who drove for Minardi and Arrows in F1 before moving to CART and NASCAR. Thanks to José Alberto Parise for additional information.