F1 Arrows A7, Ex-Boutsen, 1984 with turbo engine, restoration project

We offer this original Arrows A7 Formula One car, chassis number 2, a genuine turbo-era Grand Prix machine with a documented race history and an exceptional provenance.

The birth of the Arrows turbo era:

The Arrows A7 marked a decisive turning point for the team. During the early part of the 1984 Formula One season, Arrows still competed with the Arrows A6, powered by Ford Cosworth DFV engines. Behind the scenes, however, a major shift was underway.

During the season, Arrows finalised its deal with BMW, securing the powerful BMW M12/13 turbo engine. While the agreement was concluded, the team had to wait for the arrival of an all-new chassis capable of handling the demands of turbo power.

That new car was the Arrows A7.

The A7 made its first Grand Prix appearance at the 1984 Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder, marking Arrows’ official entry with driver Thierry Boutsen into the turbo era. From that moment on, the team transitioned away from the naturally aspirated Ford-powered A6 and committed fully to turbo technology.

Chassis no. 2, offered here, belongs to this crucial phase in Arrows’ history — representing not only a race-used Formula One car, but the beginning of Arrows’ BMW turbo program, a program that would later evolve into one of the most legendary engine stories of the turbo era.

This is the very car driven by Thierry Boutsen during the 1984 Formula One season, marking an important chapter in Arrows’ history as the team’s first turbo-powered Formula One car, powered by the legendary BMW/Megatron M12/13 1.5-litre turbo engine.

A genuine Grand Prix car, not a show car:

Chassis no. 2 is an authentic race-used A7, later preserved for many years in museum ownership, including display at the Brooklands Museum.
The car has never been cosmetically restored and is presented today in a beautiful, honest patina, exactly as one would expect from an untouched turbo-era Formula One survivor.

The car is complete and fitted with its engine, however the engine is no longer running. The A7 is offered as preserved, with no mechanical restoration carried out. Cosmetic work has been limited to careful cleaning and the reinstatement of missing or damaged period-correct decals, respecting the car’s originality and history.

1984 Race History – Thierry Boutsen / Arrows A7:

As documented in period records and detailed by FlyingLap, chassis no. 2 was actively raced during the 1984 Formula One World Championship (11 Grand Prix starts) with the following Grand Prix entries and results:

• Belgian Grand Prix 1984 (Zolder) – Qualified / Race start
• San Marino Grand Prix 1984 (Imola) – Qualified / Race start
• France Grand Prix 1984 –  Qualified / Race start
• Monaco Grand Prix 1984 – Not qualified / No race start
• Canadian Grand Prix 1984 – Qualified / Race start
• United States (Detroit) Grand Prix 1984 – Qualified / Race start
• United States (Dalles) Grand Prix 1984 – Qualified / Race start
• Great Britain Grand Prix 1984 – Qualified / Race start
• Austria Grand Prix 1984 – 5th place – World Championship points finish
• The Netherlands Grand Prix 1984 – Qualified / Race start

The 5th place at the Austrian Grand Prix represents one of the highlight results for the Arrows A7 and confirms this chassis as a points-scoring Formula One car, adding significantly to its historical relevance.

Technical Overview:

• Model: Arrows A7

• Season: 1984 Formula One

• Chassis: Carbon-fibre monocoque

• Engine: Megatron/BMW M12/13 – 1.5L inline-four turbo (installed, non-running)

• Transmission: Period-correct Formula One gearbox

• Configuration: Complete car, preserved condition

Condition & Philosophy:

This Arrows A7 is not restored and not disguised as something it is not.
It is offered exactly as collectors increasingly appreciate today:

• Genuine race patina

• Visible history and authenticity

• No speculative mechanical work

• Honest presentation

For the discerning collector, this offers a rare opportunity to acquire a true turbo-era Formula One car with:

• known drivers

• documented Grand Prix entries

• World Championship points

• museum-level provenance

Whether preserved as an important historical artefact, displayed in a private collection, or used as the basis for a future full restoration, chassis no. 2 stands as one of the most authentic surviving examples of the Arrows A7.

The description of this F1 car is, to the best of the our knowledge, accurate and not misleading. GPCARS4SALE requests a range of detail about the cars from the pre-owner and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. Potential buyers should view or arrange inspections in the showroom of GPCARS4SALE as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to buy. 

Please note that it is not uncommon for classic vehicles to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, either to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be undetectable even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork during its life. Furthermore, photographs may not reflect the true colour or full condition of the vehicle. It is buyers’ responsibility to satisfy themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to buy.