Bargain of the Week – 1991 Benetton B191-5

So, twelve months ago we started our bargain of the week series, and although it was meant to be on a weekly basis as you can see by the posting dates it occasionally ran over. OK, it ran over a lot but it’s grown into an internet sensation. Ah, yes. That’s not so true either. But I’m pretty sure it’s one of a kind, sort of. None the less I’ve had a lot of fun along the way and to start the New Year off I thought I’d search for something a little different.

I was supposed to ham it up and end like an anticipated new car launch but the massive picture on this page kind of give’s it away. Before you read on I just wanted to announce my own personal star BOTW 2009. I know it defeats the object as I’ve personally chosen every car in the series but one sticks out as ‘a lot of car for the money’ and the cheap-o award I haven’t bought for this prize giving goes to the Jaguar XJ6. Sure, it’s type-cast with bank robbers and cockney businessmen, but it really is a sensational bargain. Pick up a ’92, 3.2-litre and you’ll get everything from modern(ish) styling to badge status – in Tesco’s car park, no doubt. But from £800 you can’t really go wrong.
OK, they’re notorious for electrical problems, they rust like mad and when they go wrong, blimey, do you pay for it. But I still can’t get over the price – “you get what you pay for” springs to mind, here, even so, you can still pick one up for next to nothing and enjoy the wafting elegance of a seventeen year old banger. I’ll raise my glass to that.

Now onto our first BOTW for 2010; the word ‘bargain’ doesn’t really come into this as you’ll see when you get to the price tag, but as historic motoring goes, these don’t really come up for sale that often, especially as this particular F1 car was driven by Michael Schumacher no less. OK, I haven’t started 2010 with an old banger from the classifieds but I couldn’t resist.

As this is probably a rare sale (until its value goes up again in the next few years) who cares if it’s only the ulta-rich that can only afford to buy it? Whilst I take a break from searching the nation and tweak our BOTW series for coming months, I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.

Ad reads:
1991 Benetton B191-5 “Schuhmacher´s first F1 car!” Race Ready

Benetton B191 05 was retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 1991 season. Benetton removed the works Ford HB engine and re-painted 05 in Mild Seven colours. The car was then used by the team as a show car until 1995, after which it was stored at the factory until purchased by Cars International Ltd. Under Cars International’s ownership, chassis 05 has been fully restored and race prepared by a leading Formula 1 specialist, here in the U.K. 05 has now been returned to the exact specification as it appeared in 1991. A correct Ford HB to Ford’s works (Benetton) specification has been re-united with the car, which comes complete with Pi dash, data acquisition system and all equipment to run and drive the car, including a spare set of wheels and some spares. Comprehensive documentation of the history, restoration and race preparation of 05 is also included. Having last appeared at Lord March’s prestigious Goodwood Festival of speed event in 2003, in 2006 B19105 reappeared to celebrate 100 years of Formula 1, when former Grand-Prix driver Le Mans winner and broadcasting star, Martin Brundle was re-united with the car that he first tested at Estoril during the 1991 season.

Oh, and its asking price: €729,000. But that does include the fact that no longer ex-F1 driver Schumacher steered this car to his first ever world championship points (5 to be precise) in the Monza GP in 1991. Start saving.