Space-age Wolfrace Sonic six-wheeler goes up for auction

Say the name Wolfrace to car fans of a certain age and they will immediately think of the brand’s legendary Slot Mags, the first-ever European-made polished alloy wheels. Founded in 1971, Wolfrace became such a part of car culture that its products were chosen for everything from the Lotus Esprits used in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me to the Land Speed Record car Thrust 2.

In 1980, meanwhile, the firm launched the celebrated Sonic design that, as well as being standard fitment on performance Fords such as the XR2 and Capri 2.8i, was also available off-the-shelf. To promote the Sonic, Wolfrace founder Barry Treacy commissioned former aerospace designer turned custom car builder Nick Butler to create the out-of-this-world machine pictured here in a bid to command major press coverage while drawing excitable crowds at car shows.

The Wolfrace Sonic is said to have cost more than £75,000 to complete back in 1981 (almost £300,000 today) and featured twin Rover V8 engines driving the rear wheels through two gearboxes and a pair of Jaguar differentials. Its four front wheels used a system based on that of the Tyrrell P34 F1 car, and the two-seater cockpit incorporated an aircraft-style control panel and was accessed through ‘scissor’ doors.

Having been paraded at the opening of the 1984 British GP, the Sonic was sold to a private buyer and, in time honoured fashion, disappeared from view before being bought in a neglected state around a decade ago.

Now 80% restored, it’s one of five eccentric customs being offered at this Historics sale and is said to need only “finishing touches” to get it back on the road.

1981 Wolfrace Sonic
On offer with Historics, Brooklands, November 29. Estimate: £80,000-£120,000. historics.co.uk