21 September 2023 , 13:24
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Formula 1 fans will have the chance to bid for their very own full-scale show car in a one-off auction.
Williams made changes to their livery for the Singapore, Japanese and Qatar Grands Prix this year to celebrate its partnership with sponsor Gulf Oil. And fans will get the chance to own the 'Bolder than Bold' design for themselves.
A one-of-a-kind car bearing the special livery has been put up for sale on the F1 Authentics website. Run by UK-based business Memento Exclusives, the company has a long history of creating memorabilia from used F1 car parts and also building new show cars from scratch.
The winning bidder will get not only the car, but also a package from Williams and Gulf. They will be given a behind-the-scenes tour of the team's factory before the show car is formally handed over in a ceremony.
Naturally, anyone who has any hope of landing the unique prize will need to have deep pockets. As of 2pm on Thursday, September 21, with more than 18 days still to run on the auction, the bidding is already up to £96,000.
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The auction is to celebrate a new partnership between Memento and Williams. The two companies have linked up for the first time, meaning the firm now has an official link with F1 itself and nine of the 10 current teams on the grid, Ferrari being the exception.
F1 fans can bid to own a show car featuring Williams' special Gulf livery (Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)Memento founder and chief executive Barry Gough said: "Welcoming Williams Racing, a team with an incredible history in F1, to our portfolio of partners is another milestone in the incredible recent growth of our company.
"Memento Exclusives now boast not only licences with F1, MotoGP and UFC but also contracts of varying levels with 9 of the 10 F1 teams.
"To be able to kick start our relationship with our ninth F1 team partner, Williams Racing, with a limited-edition, one-off show car and accompanying 'not seen before' added items and 'moments' celebrating the team's partner Gulf, is the perfect representation of what we aim to offer collectors in the future, as we continue working with the team to bring passionate motorsport enthusiasts closer to the sport."
The auction is scheduled to end on October 10 at 2pm BST. To bid on the Williams show car, visit the F1 Authentics auction website.