For Sale: 1990 Leyton House CG901

Images via Duncan Hamilton ROFGO

This Judd-powered 1990 Leyton House CG901 is a vision of Formula 1 beauty. It raced during the 1990 World Championship season at the hands of Ivan Capelli and Mauricio Gugelmin and is now up for sale at Duncan Hamilton ROFGO.

The car is Leyton House CG901 Chassis 02, which made its Formula 1 debut in May, 1990 at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. Named after Cesare Gariboldi and designed by Adrian Newey, it is one of five chassis built and is powered by a Judd EV 3.5-litre V8.

It took the CG901 a little while to find its groove and the first half of Leyton House’s 1990 season did little to demonstrate the car’s performance, with DNQs and retirements filling results sheets. The design didn’t truly hit its stride until the midpoint of the 1990 season, when it received a ‘B-specification’ upgrade.

With the update in place, Capelli and Gugelmin bounced back from not qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix to running first and second in the French Grand Prix for most of the race. Their slippery new car was great on the long Mistral Straight and allowed the two drivers to try to stretch a single set of tyres to the end of the race.

They nearly pulled it off, too. When race leaders came in to pit, the two Leyton House drivers stayed out. Capelli moved into the lead of the race with Gugelmin in second. Gugelmin was eventually passed by Alain Prost, his engine blowing a few laps later. Meanwhile, Capelli led for some 45 laps, fighting tooth and nail with Prost in the closing stages until engine trouble allowed Prost to sneak by and win his third consecutive French Grand Prix.

This was the best result for the cars, with Capelli’s Chassis 01 finishing second. A few top-ten finishes followed, but the cars struggled with reliability.

Chassis 02 is unique in that its bodywork has not been repainted, making it quite original and patinated. Featuring a rebuilt Judd motor and sold with a large spares package and history file, it will make an excellent historic racer. Duncan Hamilton ROFGO note that the current owners are in touch with Ivan Capelli and Tim Holloway, who acted as race engineer in period.

For the full details, head to Duncan Hamilton ROFGO’s website here.

Images via Duncan Hamilton ROFGO