In 1987 Honda embarked on an epic streak of Formula 1 supremacy. The Honda RA166 1.5-liter turbocharged V6 mounted in the Williams-Honda FW11 produced 1200 to 1500 horsepower at 12,000 rpm and was one of the most powerful motors of the era. It would secure Honda’s first Constructors’ Championship in what would be a six-year era of dominance of the sport. Now nearly 40 years later, Honda and Williams have restored this piece of history.
In preparation for an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, FW11 chassis 02 was flown from the Honda Collection Hall in Japan to the UK. It underwent a three-month restoration at Williams Heritage. Paper documentation existed, but there were no CAD files, so Williams technicians had to laser scan sections of the car to recreate them.
Every nut and bolt was replaced in the period correct refurbishment. Williams even tracked down an unused stock of fabric for the seat and reapplied the livery using the company that painted the car originally. When it was finally complete, the car was reunited with Nigel Mansell, who piloted the FW11 to a drivers’ title in 1986. “It’s a beautiful machine,” the champ reminisced. “It’s the only car I ever drove in the mid-80s that tried to kill you in every corner.”
