F6/A chassis used by Emerson at Copersucar goes to hammer with historical certification and autograph of the pilot.
The first chassis of the F6 series of the Fittipaldi Automotive team – also known as Copersucar – driven by two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi in the 1979 season, will be the highlight of an auction organized by the prestigious RM Sotheby’s in Monaco at the end of April. With an estimated value of between €500,000 and €700,000 (approximately R$3 million to R$4 million), the single-seater represents a key chapter in the ambitious — and complex — Brazilian project in the elite of world motorsport.
Developed by engineers Ralph Bellamy and Giacomo Caliri, the car was designed to extract the maximum from ground effect, a concept that revolutionized Formula 1 at the time. Originally conceived as the F6 chassis, the model evolved to the F6/A specification over the course of seven Grands Prix. Although the Fittipaldi family team was experiencing a moment of technical transition, Emerson demonstrated competitiveness with the car, winning a seventh place in the United States GP and a memorable recovery race in the Italian GP, where he advanced from 20th to 8th place.
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The specimen that goes to the hammer boasts a history of exemplary preservation. After being part of renowned private collections, the single-seater underwent deep restorations in the late 2010s and again in 2023. This last stage was closely followed by Emerson Fittipaldi himself, who oversaw the adjustments to ensure that the car maintained the original track specifications. Since then, the engine and transmission have been little demanded, with less than 400 kilometers driven in exhibitions.
In July 2024, Emerson autographed the bolide, sealing its authenticity to the collectors’ market. The Monaco auction takes place against a backdrop of strong demand for historic single-seaters; at the same event, a 1978 Ferrari 312T3 chassis, formerly of Carlos Reutemann and Gilles Villeneuve, is valued at up to $5.5 million. For the buyer, the Fittipaldi F6/A offers not only a collector’s item, but the legacy of the only Brazilian team to build its own chassis in the history of the category.
