Clio Williams, Honda Civic Jordan, Arrows Escort Cosworth – car makers have often tried to build what is often a tenuous link between the road and F1. One F1 driver who wasn’t afraid to put his name on the tin boxes of the period was Michael Schumacher. After an XR3i Cabrio Schumacher emerged in the mid-90s, Schumi was back at it with the badges at FIAT at the start of the millennium.

And with son Mick now in F1, the Schumacher name is back at the top of the sport, ensuring nostalgia is in full swing. So here’s an opportunity to get a slice of the fever for very little money. Take at a look at it right here…

In 2006 the Stilo not only shared its name with an F1 icon but its 2.4litre matched the capacity (if not the technology) of the F1 cars of the period.
Seldom seen when new, only 200 were produced and this is number 121, up for auction, at no reserve on the trusted Car & Classic platform, ending on March 23rd.

In fairness, there was more to it than just badges or decals that some manufacturers resorted to. The upgrades were comprehensive, with the three-door benefitting from a 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine tuned by Abarth to provide 170bhp, along with a distinctive body kit, alloy pedals and tan leather seats. 60 GP spec cars, like this one, cost a further £1000 on the £15,995 list price but ensured the car headed first to Prodrive, whereupon the car received 18” OZ Superturismo multi-spoke alloys, Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs and a stainless steel rear silencer with twin pipes.

With 140,000 miles on the clock, it could benefit from some cosmetic attention but has recently had a new master cylinder alongside other expenditure from its collector owner as well as a fresh MOT. There is some service history, a wad of receipts, full toolkit and factory fit sub is still in the boot.
The current owner says it is fun to drive and the warbling five cylinder pulls well through the smooth shifting gears.

“There are certain go-to models in the hot hatch genre such as the Renaultsport Clio, MINI Cooper S and Focus ST – but all sold in big numbers,” says Chris Pollitt, editor of Car & Classic. “This is much rarer, has all the right bits and the kudos of a Schumacher affiliation.  Needing some work, and no reserve, it’s a chance to grab a left-field choice and a car that most people haven’t seen in a very long time!”

Like all auctions on Car & Classic, there are no buyers’ fees and using ESCROW, your money is secure until you get the car.