Williams Grand Prix Engineering has initiated High Court legal proceedings against Peter Thorpe, former director of Shropshire-based Autotech Performance Ltd, following the disappearance of a 2001 Williams FW23 Formula One car.
The £750,000 vehicle was loaned to the Telford garage in 2015 under a Historic Car Loan Agreement for display purposes. When Williams attempted to inspect and recover the car in October 2021, the company received no response. Autotech subsequently entered voluntary liquidation and was dissolved.
Williams alleges that Thorpe wrongfully claimed ownership of the vehicle to liquidators and removed it from the premises, seeking its return, hire charges, or damages exceeding £1 million.
Addressing the court filings, Williams’ barrister Richard Clegg stated: “The car is part of the claimant’s unique collection of its own heritage cars, the use or sale of which it strictly controls inter alia to ensure so far as possible that they are preserved.”
Thorpe denies claiming ownership or retaining the car, stating in his defence that he does not know its current location and experienced cognitive impairment following a stroke in 2018. His legal representative noted the car was present during an asset valuation in August 2021 and disputed the £750,000 valuation, stating the unit was an engine-less show car.
A Williams spokesperson said: “We have initiated proceedings to recover a car that was lent to a third party and not returned to us. As the proceedings are active, we will make no further comment but have full faith in the legal system to resolve this matter.”
Source: Metro