On the 30th anniversary of Williams’ first Formula 1 world title, a Williams FW07/04 is coming up for sale, the car that signalled the manufacturer as a major force in Formula One and elevated Alan Jones to world champion. It will be auctioned on April 18 by Sotheby’s in Melbourne, Australia.

Williams FW07/04 is the most original and authentic FW07 in existence, and Alan Jones will be at the auction to talk about the car. The car has been a museum exhibition in Western Australia for almost its whole life.

After a succession of wins driving the car in late 1979, Williams FW07/04, piloted by AJ won the first race of the 1980 grand prix season in Argentina. That win set the stage for Williams’ domination of the season and its first World Constructors Championship and first World Drivers Championship.

The car has been part of the world renowned Peter Briggs Family Collection at the York Motor Museum and later the Fremantle Motor Museum in Western Australia since 1981 and Peter Briggs is the car’s second owner.

‘The fact that these cars are highly sought after and still winning historic grand prix races today says a lot about how good they were.’ said Alan Jones.

The car will be sold at auction in Melbourne on April 18. Sotheby’s Australia has re-launched its Collectors’ Motor Cars Department and this car will be the star at the auction. This department is responsible for Collectors’ cars from the Veteran, Edwardian, Vintage and pre and post war periods through to modern classics, and it also focuses its attention on classic motorbikes and motorboats, number plates and automobilia including automotive art and photography and luxury items from a motoring lifestyle. More information is at www.sothebysaustralia.com.au