Surtees’ world title trophy for sale… and others

Auction house Bonhams sells a remarkable collection of racing memorabilia at the Goodwood Member’s Meeting sale, on April 14^th. All items come from John Surtees’ private collection, among them is Surtees team gear… and the 1964 F1 world championship trophy.

The memorabilia were John Surtees’ of course, and passed on to his wife when Surtees died in 2017. Patricia Phyllis Surtees passed away in 2023.

Two and four wheels champ

John Surtees was no Stirling Moss in keeping records of his own career, but he did hold on to a great many souvenirs of a remarkable time in racing. Surtees is still the only world champion on two and on four wheels, wrapping up seven world titles in the motorcycling 350cc and 500cc classes. And in 1964, he became F1 world champion with Ferrari.

F1 trophy

It’s precisely the 1964 drivers world title winning cup that forms the highlight of the Bonhams auction. It is expected to fetch between €14,000 and €18,000 ($15,170 and $19,500), but given this was Surtees’ one and only F1 title – with Ferrari on top of that – we wouldn’t be surprised to see it reach a higher price. It’s not like there are many opportunities to become the new owner of a genuine F1 champions’ trophy. It’s made in silver.

Nürburgring sash

Next to that, the 1963 German Grand Prix winner’s sash caught our eye, estimated at €700 ($758) to €940 ($1018). There is also the sash of the 1964 German GP, and the one from the 1970 1000Km at the Nürburgring. Many items are accompanied by photographs depicting them with Surtees, one notable exception being the chronograph Pat Surtees used to time her husband at the races. The Lemanio Nero stopwatch comes with lap chart books covering 1963, 1964 and 1965. More pages from later races are in the package as well. Bonhams estimates this lot at €2300 ($2492) to €3500 ($3792).

Personally, we’d go for Pat’s Team Surtees Can-Am jacket, priced at a very reasonable €120 ($130) to €180 ($195). It states ‘1966 Can-Am Champion’, how’s that for cool? Or Surtees’ drivers license maybe?

You can see the rest of the lots here.

The Bonhams auction takes place on Saturday April 14^th, during the Goodwood Members’ Meeting.