1979 Renault Estafette Niki Lauda Ferrari Team van

I’m always a sucker for a smart classic van. Although I wouldn’t necessarily want to own one as an everyday vehicle, they’ve got real character, especially when they have a smart paint job and an exciting provenance.

This 1979 Renault Estafette van must be pick of the bunch — Niki Lauda’s Team Ferrari van as used in the upcoming film Rush. Although this isn’t an original Team Ferrari van, it is an original vehicle that has been faithfully adapted.

With just a few weeks left before Ron Howard’s epic film ‘Rush’ — which documents the epic rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda — appears in cinemas nationwide, this van is being auctioned at CarFest South by Silverstone Auctions on Sunday 25th August, at Laverstoke Park Farm.

This particular van Renault van started life as a fire truck on the French/Swiss border, but has been faithfully modelled for its new role, with authentic factory paint and decals from one of Formula One’s most exciting eras, the late 1970s.

Will Smith, classic car specialist, Silverstone Auctions, said:

“With ‘Rush’ set to thrill cinema goers, our CarFest South auction couldn’t be better timed for one of its star characters, albeit one with four-wheels.

“It’s a great little van, which even comes complete with fat Avon racing tyres on the period roof rack, and I’m sure it would be the ultimate addition to any Ferrari collection or race team.”

1979 Renault Estafette Niki Lauda Ferrari Team van

Estimated at between £15,000 to £20,000, the van is one of more than seventy lots being offered in the ‘Pride & Joy’ auction. Also being offered are a variety of charity lots where all the money raised will go to BBC Children in Need.

For more information this Renault Estafette, or any of the lots on offer, then visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.