Skip to content

'I want to share my husband's F1 cars with the world'

Jack Hadaway-WellerTollerton
News imageBBC/Jack Hadaway-Weller A woman standing indoors in front of wooden display cabinets with glass shelves. The cabinets are filled with numerous small model racing cars arranged neatly in rows. Yellow signs reading “PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH” are visible on the display cases, indicating a collection or exhibition setting.BBC/Jack Hadaway-Weller
Sue Parton is exhibiting the collection until September

A widow is sharing her late husband's collection of over 650 handmade Formula 1 model cars to raise money for the hospice which cared for him.

Sue Parton, from Tollerton, is exhibiting the collection, which she has called Partons Pit Stop, for the first time in aid of St Leonard's Hospice which supported her husband, Nick, until his death from cancer in October.

"It's a legacy for my husband, I want people to see how great [the cars] are" said Mrs Parton.

Each car was handmade, painted and detailed by Mr Parton in his studio and includes every Formula 1 Grand Prix winner up until his death.

"He's been creating these cars since childhood," Parton said.

"He used to order kit cars, strip them down and then rebuild them and put the decals on."

News imageBBC/Jack Hadaway-Weller A glass display shelf holds detailed miniature Formula One race cars arranged neatly in rows. The models feature bright liveries in red, white, blue, and orange, with visible sponsor logos and numbers. Reflections on the glass and shadows on the wooden backing add depth to the carefully curated collection.BBC/Jack Hadaway-Weller
Models include James Hunt's title winning McLaren which beat Niki Lauda by one point in the 1976 season

Nick Parton was suddenly hospitalised in September 2025 and died at home a month later whilst being cared for by St Leonard's Hospice home care team.

"We found out at the end of September that he had cancer in his lungs and various other places and within a month he'd passed away," his widow said.

The couple had already been involved in fundraising for St Leonard's Hospice in 2024, when they both took part in the hospice's version of Strictly Come Dancing.

News imageBBC/Jack Hadaway-Weller A compact workshop shelf is filled with model‑making tools, paints, brushes, and small parts neatly arranged. Miniature car bodies, stands, and boxed kits sit alongside clamps, pliers, and precision instruments. The setup suggests a dedicated, well‑used space for detailed scale model construction and finishing.BBC/Jack Hadaway-Weller
Mrs Parton has not disturbed Mr Parton's workstation since he died

Clare Meadley, community and events fundraiser at St Leonard's Hospice, said of the exhibition.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for any Formula 1 fan or model hobbyist to see some incredible craftsmanship, all while supporting a local charity at the same time."

The exhibition is open on Saturday mornings by appointment only with funds raised going towards St Leonard's Hospice.

"[The cars] are just going to get dusty if they sit here so I'd just love people to come and enjoy," Parton said.

News imageSue Parton A man stands inside a room lined with wooden display cabinets filled with miniature racing cars. The shelves behind are densely arranged with detailed model vehicles in various colours and styles. The scene highlights a carefully curated collection showcased in a warm, museum‑like setting.Sue Parton
Nick Parton spent the majority of his weekend's making models

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.