Most people know Jody Scheckter from his victory in the 1979 Formula One World Driver's Championship. However, he also drove the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34, which is arguably the most peculiar Formula One vehicle ever made. Scheckter is currently up for sale his own P34, an original chassis that was transformed into a competitive, operational race vehicle in 2008.

Although the P34 was raced in 1976 and 1977 when it was first introduced, it has a comparatively brief history and is in outstanding condition. The Ford-Cosworth DFV 3.0-liter V8 engine is mated to "Chassis 8". 

Derek Gardner, the technical director of Tyrrell, using his creative mind to create the unique, six-wheeled design of the P34. Smaller wheels might be packaged behind the wing, he reasoned. The tinier size's smaller contact patch would be compensated for by the second set of rubber. In comparison to the air flowing over the taller tires rivals were using, there would also be less drag.

Gardner also hypothesized that improved braking would come from having two extra wheels. However, racing drivers found the arrangement difficult in the real world. According to a story on Formula1.com, Scheckter stated to Motor Sport magazine in 2008 that "the braking was supposed to be better: well, it was when you were braking in a straight line, but as soon as you turned in, the little wheels slid, and you had to come off the pedal, so there was no advantage there."

The P34 did well on the track in spite of its design flaws. In 1976, Scheckter led the vehicle to its lone straight-up victory at the Swedish Grand Prix. During that season, he and colleague Patrick Depailler finished on ten podiums, including second and third in the Monaco Grand Prix, respectively. Sadly, the team's performance in 1977 wasn't as strong, winning just four podiums.

The glass panels carved into the body to allow drivers to see the tires are a nice touch within the cabin. The driver could better position the vehicle throughout corners and assess tire wear thanks to the portholes.Based on the brake-cooling NACA ducts on the front wing, Scheckter's vehicle appears to have been built in accordance with 1976 specifications. For the 1977 season, changes were made, such as a new design including huge mesh panels.

The new owner will have plenty of motivation to take the P34 to the track and less motive to keep it in the garage as a collector's piece because it isn't a true race-used vehicle. It will be put up for auction in May at Monaco's RM Sotheby's sale, with a reserve price of between $490,000 and $700,000.