In a couple other Posts on this board I have boasted about Gordan Murray's designs for the BT-46... Christiaan is now asking me for more information (that I dont have)...

I have been wracking my brains tring to recall where I read about this car...

Oh well I really wish I knew more about it..

I am not so interested in the short-lived "Fan Car" so much as I am interested in the origional design that features a double-walled body structure, so that much of the body could be effectivly used as a "Radiator".

Does anyone else recall anything about this ?
This design I am talking about was just before the 1978 season...

Could this idea have worked ?
Does anyone know why it was rejected ?

I think back then they already used a double walled alluminium "Honey-Comb" or in some cases "corregated" material for many structural components.

Thanks !

Hi
The original BT-46 of late 1977 had a rising rate suspension activated by an external air supply, and an internal jacking system to speed up tyre changing in pit stops.
The car was un-racable due to overheating caused by the surface coolers draging still air. This was changed with the redesigned nose radiators and the car made it's debut at Kyalami in '78. The Brabhan's qualifying 2 and 3 at Monaco, Watson led into the 1st corner but had to give the lead away when his brakes faded. Lauda set the fastest lap and Gordon Murray seeing the significance of the Lotus 79's ground effect told Ecclestone they were finished if they did not do something drastic. This led to the design of the Fan car which was later banned.

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JimE

Thanks JimE

Now that I think about I beleive the BT-46 was the first F1 car to make use of Carbon-Fibre brakes as well. A very inovative car.

I'm not sure if these are all "firsts" on a racing car but the BT46's very innovative features included:
-triangular section monocoque(already used on the BT44)
-double walled aluminum structure from the cockpit forward with corrugated aluminum sandwich material which also incorporated a cockpit ventilation system
-the sides of the monocoque from the cockpit back were formed by the structural "surface-flow" aluminum honeycomb radiators
-dual roll-hoops
-main fuel tank behind the driver's seat
-onboard timing system and warning lights activated by pushbutton, displayed in the center of the steering wheel
-carbon fiber brake disc surfaces and pads
-carbon fiber exterior bodywork
-built in pneumatic jacks

[This message has been edited by Dr.DeDion (edited 12-07-1999).]

Some of these items appeared in other cars but the Brabham deserves credit for their inclusion. Gordon Murray had some interesting remarks on current regulations saying that they were too restrictive and did not promote the kind of radical ideas that his hero Colin Chapman would come up with and actually stating that Modern F1 did not have a place for people like Chapman.

What do you all think?

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Regards,

Dennis David
Yahoo = dennis_a_david

Life is racing, the rest is waiting

Grand Prix History
www.ddavid.com/formula1/

F1 is restrictive for the wrong reasons in the wrong areas. And that's my opinion!

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

In case you happened to be curious what such an innovative device actually looked like - here's a scan from David Hodges' A-Z book:



The radiator sidepods are a very obvious detail...


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Interesting how many people have forgotten about Gordon Murray and his approach to designing race cars. There was little doubt of mistaking a Murray designed Brabham for anything else. While a few flops in some ways, Murray was always looking to see how to push the envelope. When I first saw the BT46, I remember being almost struck dumb, it was so different in so many ways.

It was definitely not a copycat car!

Speaking of Murray, I wonder what he would whip up if the sports car rules were basically something along the lines of some regs on passenger protection, some form emissions limitations and free from that point onward. Active suspension, auto or active this and that and let 'er rip. Now that might be interesting -- until the nit-pickers get involved.

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Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,

Don Capps

wow!!
F1 never rewards the innovators

Hi guys, just passing thru the forum and I just had to pass comment......what a beautiful car!

The BT46 launch photo certainly impressed me shame the radical radiators could not be made to work.