Coachlines - May 2026
29.05.26 The Clerk Lt Col Craig Hallatt
Clerk’s Notes – May 2026
A year of fire and fury: James Hunt, 1976, and the championship that rewrote Formula One
I should confess straight away (something many of you are acutely aware of) — and I do so with the humility of a man who normally deals in crotchets, quavers and the occasional well behaved chord – that I remain very much a novice in the worlds of automotive engineering, aerospace innovation, and the noble craft of coachmaking. These disciplines, in all their mechanical splendour, were completely alien to me when I first took up the Clerk’s role. But as I approach my two-year anniversary, I find myself slowly, and sometimes surprisingly, becoming conversant in things that go far beyond a Treble Clef and Cadential six-four (at your peril, if you ask, I can explain!)
I still cannot claim to be able to identify a camshaft from a crankcase with confidence, but I can at least nod thoughtfully in the right places now – which, in ‘Clerkly’ terms, is practically a qualification. And so, with the anniversary of James Hunt’s extraordinary 1976 World Championship upon us, it seems only fitting that I venture once more into the petrol-scented, rivet-lined, coach-built universe that surrounds me daily, and offer a reflection on a season as dramatic as any symphony.
James Hunt did not so much enter Formula One as erupt into it. Tall, blond, and possessed of an engaging smile, Hunt was a natural showman. He had the swagger of a rock star, the charm of a mischievous schoolboy, and the driving talent of a man who seemed to have been born with a steering wheel in his hands.
His early years in British club racing were a mixture of brilliance and bent bodywork. The nickname “Hunt the Shunt” was not awarded lightly. Yet even then, those who watched him closely could see the raw speed and instinctive race-craft. He was quick, fearless, and utterly committed – the sort of driver who would attempt an overtake in a corridor if you gave him half a chance.
But beneath the chaos was a razor-sharp competitor. Hunt was intelligent, analytical, and capable of extraordinary precision. He understood the psychology of racing as much as the mechanics of it. He knew when to intimidate, when to charm, and when to unleash the full force of his talent.
By the time he arrived at McLaren in 1976, replacing the outgoing Emerson Fittipaldi – some of whose cars we saw on the Lotus visit last year – Hunt had matured into a formidable competitor. And he was about to be handed a machine worthy of his talent.
If Formula One cars were characters in a drama, the McLaren M23 would be the seasoned warrior: not the newest, not the flashiest, but rugged, reliable, and capable of astonishing speed in the right hands.
Designed by Gordon Coppuck, the M23 had debuted in 1973 and had already delivered a championship for Fittipaldi in 1974. By 1976 it was a veteran – but a veteran sharpened, refined, and coaxed into peak form.
Technical highlights of the M23
The McLaren M23 that carried James Hunt to the 1976 World Championship was powered by the legendary Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0-litre V8, producing around 485bhp. Built around a lightweight aluminium monocoque and paired with a Hewland FG400 gearbox, the car tipped the scales at roughly 575kg. In full race trim, depending on circuit setup, it was capable of reaching speeds of around 190mph – a formidable and beautifully balanced machine perfectly suited to Hunt’s fearless driving style.
The M23 was not the technological marvel that Ferrari’s 312T2 was – with its flat 12 engine and Niki Lauda’s relentless consistency – but it was beautifully balanced, forgiving at the limit, and perfectly suited to Hunt’s aggressive, elbows-out style.
It was a car that rewarded bravery. Fortunately, Hunt had that in abundance.
1976: A season of fire, fury, and ferocious rivalry
The 1976 season is remembered not merely as a championship, but as an epic – a saga of rivalry, resilience, and raw human drama. Hunt versus Lauda. McLaren versus Ferrari. Britain versus Austria. Playful chaos versus clinical precision.
It was, in short, Formula One at its operatic best.
The early rounds: promise and penalties
Hunt’s season began with flashes of brilliance tempered by controversy. He won in Spain – only to be disqualified for a technical infringement, then reinstated on appeal. He won in Britain – only to be disqualified again after a first lap collision and restart. The FIA stewards, it seemed, were determined to test his patience, if not his vocabulary.
Lauda, meanwhile, was racking up points with machine-like efficiency. By mid-season, the Austrian looked untouchable.
Then came Nürburgring.
The crash that changed everything
On 1st August 1976, during the German Grand Prix at the fearsome 14-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife, Niki Lauda suffered a horrific crash that left him with severe burns, lung damage, and a priest administering last rites.
Hunt won the race – but the victory was overshadowed by the gravity of Lauda’s injuries. Formula One held its breath. And then, in one of the most extraordinary comebacks in sporting history, Lauda returned just six weeks later, still bandaged, still in pain, still utterly determined.
The championship battle was back on.
The final showdown: Fuji, rain, and destiny
The 1976 Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway remains one of the most dramatic finales in Formula One history. The rain was biblical. Visibility was measured in inches. The track resembled a boating lake.
Lauda, still recovering, withdrew after two laps, declaring the conditions unsafe – a decision of immense courage and clarity.
Hunt, needing a high finish to clinch the title, pressed on. His race was chaotic: a puncture, a pit stop, a furious charge through the field. He finished third. And with that, James Hunt became the 1976 Formula One World Champion. He celebrated in the only way James Hunt knew how: with Champagne, cigarettes, and a grin that could have powered the national grid.
While the M23 is the car most associated with Hunt’s title, his path to the top was paved with a colourful assortment of machinery.
Hesketh 308 (1974–1975)
Before McLaren, Hunt drove for the irrepressible Lord Hesketh, whose team operated on equal parts enthusiasm, Champagne, and sheer audacity. The Hesketh 308 was a surprisingly competitive car – light, nimble, and powered by the trusty Cosworth DFV.
Hunt took his first Grand Prix victory in the 308 at Zandvoort in 1975, proving he was more than just a flamboyant personality.
March 731 (1973)
Hunt’s first full season in Formula One came with March, driving the 731 – a car that was, charitably, ‘lively’. It was not a championship contender, but it gave Hunt the platform to show his speed and race-craft.
These cars, each in their own way, shaped the driver who would seize the crown in 1976.
James Hunt’s life off the track was as colourful as his racing career. He was a man of appetites – for speed, for excitement, for mischief, and for life itself. Here are a few of his anecdotes:
• He once arrived at a race wearing only a dressing gown and a smile.
• He kept budgerigars and was surprisingly tender with them.
• He calmed his nerves before races with a cigarette and a beer – a ritual that would shock modern sports scientists.
• He once borrowed a mechanic’s bicycle and rode it around the paddock until it broke, then apologised with such charm that the mechanic forgave him instantly.
Yet beneath the bravado was a thoughtful, intelligent man who cared deeply about safety, fairness, and the wellbeing of his fellow drivers. His friendship with Lauda – forged in rivalry, tempered in fire – became one of the great human stories of the sport.
As we look back on James Hunt’s extraordinary 1976 season – a year of courage, rivalry, rainstorms, rule bending and sheer, unfiltered human spirit – it is hard not to feel a certain resonance with the values we hold dear in the Coachmakers’ Company. Craftsmanship, character, resilience, and the celebration of engineering excellence are woven through both his story and our own heritage.
And so it feels especially fitting that, as we honour this anniversary, we also look ahead to one of the great fixtures in our own calendar: the Coachmakers’ Annual Charity Banquet on 18th June at the Honourable Artillery Company. It is an evening that brings together everything our Company stands for – fellowship, tradition, generosity, and a shared passion for the future of mobility in all its forms.
This year, we are particularly proud to be supported by Bentley Motors, our magnificently gold standard sponsor. Its commitment to engineering excellence, craftsmanship and innovation makes a natural partner for the Coachmakers, and a strong presence at the Banquet – not least through the display of remarkable motor cars – adds a touch of splendour that James Hunt himself would undoubtedly have approved of. One suspects he might even have tried to drive one away if nobody was looking!
Company events
The Summer Dinner at Girdlers’ Hall on 16th July 2026 will be advertised shortly. It is an intimate venue, with a maximum capacity of 100 guests, so tickets are likely to sell-out fast. Please keep your eye on the website and advert that will posted during the coming days.
City events
Election of Sheriffs – Wednesday 24th June 2026 (10.45am seated, ceremony 11.30am)
A unique opportunity to exercise our rights as Coachmakers at the City of London’s Shrieval election, traditionally prescribed on Midsummer’s day. The responsibility of electing the Sheriffs has rested with Liverymen since 1475. Walpole’s Election Act of 1725 clarified further that Liverymen must be of one year’s standing from 31st May 2025 to be eligible to vote, and that same requirement remains in force today.
All Liverymen are expected to arrive at the Guildhall in good time to be seated by 11.30am at the latest, prior to the Lord Mayor’s arrival. The Lord Mayor and the Aldermen, as well as the High Officers, process into the Great Hall shortly before 12noon. On completion of voting we respond to the Common Cryer with “God Save the King”, after which we process out of the Guildhall. Masters wear their gowns.
Our rights exercised, and in the finest tradition of the Coachmakers, we will then retire to Tallow Chandlers’ Hall for a glass of something fizzy, followed by a companiable and sumptuous three-course lunch.
Coachmakers are welcome to attend this event on a first-come first-served basis – tickets are limited – together with non-Livery guests who may join us for lunch. Please book through the Clerk, indicating whether you wish to attend either the ceremony and lunch or just the ceremony – clerk@coachmakers.co.uk.
The cost this year will be £75.00 plus VAT per person for the three-course lunch including wine and Champagne.
Dress code: Business attire
The 11th Reflections of The Lord Mayor Gala Evening will take place on Tuesday, 14th July 2026 at Butchers’ Hall, London.
This year’s evening will celebrate the reflections of Alderman Alastair King DL, the 696th Lord Mayor of London, following his year of office. The Gala will also mark 10 years of Reflections in Stained Glass, bringing together civic reflection, stained-glass storytelling, youth creativity and shared stewardship.
I am also pleased to share a short invitation from David Stringer-Lamarre, Past Master Glazier, who has attended Reflections on several occasions and has seen first-hand how the evening brings together members of the City, the Livery, supporters of youth creativity, and those with an interest in civic life, heritage and service.
Tickets are now available, with prices held at the 2025 level.
Booking link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reflectionsofthelordmayor/2093092