1996 Williams Formula 1 Sneakers (F1 Car Outsole)

Description

A 1996 sneaker released under the Williams Formula 1 team brand, and one of the most remarkable storytelling pieces in the entire Vault. It arrived during arguably the greatest season Williams ever had, the year Damon Hill and rookie Jacques Villeneuve drove the Adrian Newey and Patrick Head-designed Williams FW18 to 12 wins in 16 races, a one-two in the Drivers’ Championship, and a Constructors’ title by 105 points over Ferrari. Now look at the outsole. Molded into the bottom of the shoe is a full Formula 1 car, complete with Williams sidepod branding, front wing, rear wing, and what appear to be functioning rubber wheel hubs. In decades of collecting, this is one of a tiny handful of shoes that hides an entire piece of storytelling on the bottom of the foot. The lateral carries Williams script and the gold W logo with F1 embossed on the midsole, and the box shows a Renault-powered FW-era car cornering at full commitment. It came in its original Williams Grand Prix Engineering box. If you found this in a thrift store with no context, you would think it was a fantasy player exclusive. It was not. It was a licensed team product at a dominant moment in F1 history. Price on request, message the Vault via the Contact page to inquire.