Rare memorabilia from racing legend Ronnie "SuperSwede" Peterson up for auction
Ronnie Peterson's racing overall from 1977 is in the spotlight.
Bukowskis presents Ronnie Peterson's racing overall, along with other fascinating objects related to the iconic driver, in the Online auction Made in Sweden, August 25 - September 5.
Ronnie "SuperSwede" Peterson was one of Sweden's most prominent and beloved racing drivers. With a passion for motorsport that blossomed from a young age, Peterson became known for his exceptional talent and speed on the racing track, quickly establishing himself as an icon within the Formula 1 world. Ronnie Peterson made his Formula 1 debut in 1970 and immediately left a profound impression. With his elegant style and technical skill, he cemented his position as one of the most respected drivers in the racing world. Throughout his career, Peterson represented several prominent teams, including Lotus, March, and Tyrrell, and his successes on the track captivated both devoted fans and competitors.
› The racing overall from 1977, which he wore at the Jarama and Monza tracks, was a gift from Ronnie Peterson's father to the current owner. Estimate 30 000 – 50 000 SEK.
Peterson's career peaked during the 1970s when he became one of the primary rivals to the legendary Niki Lauda. In 1973, he had an impressive season with seven Grand Prix victories and finished as the runner-up in the World Championship, just one point behind Lauda. His charismatic personality and distinctive driving style made him a beloved figure among admirers worldwide. Unfortunately, Peterson's life and career took a tragic turn when he suffered a fatal crash during the 1978 Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit. The racing world mourned the loss of one of its most cherished drivers, and Peterson's memory remained as a reminder of the passion and dedication that characterized his life in racing.
› Photographer Kenneth Olausson captures Ronnie Peterson after the F1 race in Ontario, USA, 1971. The photograph is presented as part of the auction. Estimate 25 000 SEK.
After Bukowskis presented Ronnie Peterson's racing suit, a collection of unique items linked to the racing driver's career was gathered for the auction. This includes the cockpit front from the March 761, the F1 car Ronnie Peterson crashed during practice for the Belgian Grand Prix in 1976. The part was preserved by Åke Strandberg, Sweden's first international mechanic in F1 and a close friend of Peterson. In "Memories of Ronnie" by Joakim Thedin and Tomas Hägg, published in 2006, Strandberg recounts the crash in Belgium.
– Ronnie crashed the car. He came back to the pits carrying his seat cushion and reported that it wasn't too bad. He said, "Bring a jack and a front tyre along and you can drive it back again." The mechanics went off to find the car, "the first thing we saw was the rear wing. The rest of the car had a chain-link fence wrapped around it. No wheels were left on, the car was totally trashed."
Just as Ronnie wished, the Formula 1 car was rebuilt after the crash. In 2014, the reconstructed vehicle was sold at Bonhams, and now there is a unique opportunity to bid on the original front.
› Cockpit front from March 761, a F1 car wrecked by Ronnie Peterson 1976 at Zolder, Belgium. Estimate 20 000 SEK.
The victory wreath of Ronnie Peterson from his triumph at Monza in 1976 is yet another highlight from the auction. The victory was considered by him to be one of his greatest achievements, as he believed his car was significantly inferior compared to the competitors'. The wreath, which he gave to Åke Strandberg, symbolizes an accomplishment that exceeded expectations.
It is made of laurel leaves on a straw base, and in gold, the text reads: "47 Gran Premio d´Italia" and "Autodromo Nazionale di Monza 12 Settembre 1976 - 1o Assoluto".
› Victory wreath won by Ronnie Peterson at Monza 1976. Estimate 18 000 SEK.
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