John Surtees' Vehicles Arrive at Silverstone Museum

Silverstone Museum is thrilled to announce the arrival of three iconic vehicles from the storied career of motorsport legend, John Surtees. These machines – the MV Agusta 500cc, Triumph Tiger T70, and Surtees TS 7/01 – represent key moments in Surtees’ unparalleled journey across two and four-wheeled racing, cementing his place in history as the only person to win world championships in both 500cc motorcycling and Formula One.

MV Agusta 500cc (1960)

The MV Agusta 500cc is the bike that carried John Surtees to his fourth and final 500cc World Championship in 1960. A dominant force in motorcycling, Surtees won world titles in 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1960, with the 1958 and 1959 seasons seeing him achieve the incredible feat of winning every race in the championship, including at the treacherous Isle of Man TT. This victory in 1960 marked the end of Surtees’ motorcycle racing career as he turned his focus to Formula One, where he would go on to achieve even greater heights.

Triumph Tiger T70

The Triumph Tiger T70 represents the start of John Surtees' racing journey. In 1950, at just 16 years old, Surtees made his road racing debut at Brands Hatch on a Triumph T70 that he had modified himself. Although the bike proved unreliable and would soon be replaced by larger, more competitive machines, it was this moment that launched Surtees on his path to greatness. His talent and determination soon saw him rise through the ranks of motorcycling, setting the stage for his later success in both two and four-wheeled racing.

Surtees TS 7/01 (1970)

The Surtees TS 7/01 was the first car designed and built by Team Surtees, powered by the legendary Cosworth DFV engine. Launched midway through the 1970 Formula 1 season, the TS 7/01 made an immediate impact, scoring points at the Canadian Grand Prix for John Surtees and the U.S. Grand Prix for Derek Bell. The car also claimed a prestigious victory at the Oulton Park Gold Cup, a non-championship race featuring both Formula One and Formula 5000 cars. It continued to race in the 1971 Formula One season, securing more points before development was halted to focus on its successor, the TS9.

These three extraordinary vehicles are now on display at Silverstone Museum, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the remarkable career of one of motorsport’s most accomplished figures.