British Racing Partnership's BRP-BRM Grand Prix racecars
#1
Posted 14 September 2011 - 20:54
What you should hopefully know about the BRP-BRMs is that - after only the Lotus 25 - they were the second aluminum monocoque chassis in Formula One. They used BRM's nifty little DOHC V8 whereas the Lotus team used Climax engines. Innes Ireland drove a BRP-BRM throughout 1963. For 1964 two additional cars were built to a significantly improved design. Ireland continued, rejoined by his former Lotus teammate, Trevor Taylor.
Here's a link to the fully detailed story:
Kurt DelBene's 1964 B.R.P. (BRP-BRM) Grand Prix Race Car
Here are a couple teaser snapshots:
(Some of you guys know much, much more about these cars than I ever will, but I'm keen to learn and willing to update the article to correct any errors or inaccuracies. I'm traveling all the time lately, so e-mail is best but responses may be delayed. Still, please don't hesitate to send me your comments!)
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#2
Posted 15 September 2011 - 14:10
#3
Posted 16 September 2011 - 15:32
and a pretty car
Keep it up!
If you can possibly abide the shameless self-promotion aspect of this, I'd like to invite you all to peruse a new article about the history, design and construction of BRP's 1.5L Grand Prix racecars.
What you should hopefully know about the BRP-BRMs is that - after only the Lotus 25 - they were the second aluminum monocoque chassis in Formula One. They used BRM's nifty little DOHC V8 whereas the Lotus team used Climax engines. Innes Ireland drove a BRP-BRM throughout 1963. For 1964 two additional cars were built to a significantly improved design. Ireland continued, rejoined by his former Lotus teammate, Trevor Taylor.
Here's a link to the fully detailed story:
Kurt DelBene's 1964 B.R.P. (BRP-BRM) Grand Prix Race Car
Here are a couple teaser snapshots:
(Some of you guys know much, much more about these cars than I ever will, but I'm keen to learn and willing to update the article to correct any errors or inaccuracies. I'm traveling all the time lately, so e-mail is best but responses may be delayed. Still, please don't hesitate to send me your comments!)
#4
Posted 18 September 2011 - 04:49
#5
Posted 18 September 2011 - 12:11
That means that the bearings are within the upright and the 'stub' axle turns within those bearings. I could be wrong, of course, but that's what it looks like. This was at least very unusual in 1963, though commonplace today.
#6
Posted 18 September 2011 - 14:34
I was interested to see the LH gearchange.
#7
Posted 18 September 2011 - 14:43
#8
Posted 19 September 2011 - 06:29
I thought the BRP used Lotus 24 suspension, uprights and wheels.From what I can see in those photos, the front wheel bearings seem to give it a 'live axle' type of upright...
That means that the bearings are within the upright and the 'stub' axle turns within those bearings. I could be wrong, of course, but that's what it looks like. This was at least very unusual in 1963, though commonplace today.
#9
Posted 19 September 2011 - 06:30
A consequence of a BRM gearbox?I was interested to see the LH gearchange.
Edited by Roger Clark, 19 September 2011 - 06:30.
#10
Posted 19 September 2011 - 08:05
#11
Posted 19 September 2011 - 09:59
From what I can see in those photos, the front wheel bearings seem to give it a 'live axle' type of upright...
That means that the bearings are within the upright and the 'stub' axle turns within those bearings. I could be wrong, of course, but that's what it looks like. This was at least very unusual in 1963, though commonplace today.
I understand that the Lotus 24, 25 and BRP all used the same Lotus upright, and this is confirmed by Curtis (BritishV8) in his article. Here's a description of the Lotus 25 arrangement, from Ian Bamsey's Lotus 25 - A Technical Appraisal:I thought the BRP used Lotus 24 suspension, uprights and wheels.
I'd suggest that the only difference on the BRP is that the circlip retaining the stub axle has been replaced by a nut and split pin.The front upright casting was star-shaped, offering front and rear prongs. This allowed the same casting to be used each side with the calliper always mounted on rear prongs. The disc had an integral bell which was driven by six wheel pegs. At the front the pegs projected from a hub that ran on twin taper roller bearings carried by a fixed stub axle. This steel axle (machined internally for lightness) was an interference fit in the upright which it ran right through, secured at its inner end by a circlip.
Edited by Tim Murray, 19 September 2011 - 10:00.
#12
Posted 19 September 2011 - 10:20
Wasn't the first car unusual (unique?) in having a vertical gate and a horizontal gear lever?Yes, exactly - they'd used a RH gearchange on the unique '63 car on a Colotti 'box, and when the '64 car was fitted with the Godiva V8 in '66 it had a RH change added; John Blunsden's track test for MR noted they hadn't yet had time to fit a gate when he drove it.
I notice that the car in BritishV8's picture has the upper rear radius arm attached to the upright at the level of the top link, like a Lotus 25B or 33. I remember them attached at the level of the hub, like a 24 or early 25. When was it changed?