8 replies to this topic

[marksimpson]

BRABHAM BT8 SPORTS RACER INFO. I recently acquired for vintage racing in the US and Europe Brabham BT8 serial #SC64-1, the first sports racer built by the Brabham factory. I am interested in acquiring any period photographs, magazine articles either period or from vintage race magazines on this car or it's 11 sister cars. I am willing to pay reasonable amounts to obtain pix and articles. Thanks, Your Friend at Speed. Mark Simpson

[Ray Bell]

I think your best chance is to look in Motor Racing probably the April/May/June issues of 1964...

Is yours the Team Elite car that had the 2-litre engine and was driven by Denny Hulme?

And was there ever a BT17 finished?

[Jeremy Jackson]

Mark,

"Vintage Motorsport" did a major article on the BT8 in 1991, Issue 6/91. While I know it's not obtainable as a back issue, it's got a lot of period photos, and a chassis-by-chassis history.

SC-1-64 is noted as originally owned by Robs Lamplough, sold, and destroyed in a fatal accident at Candlestick Park, and a re-creation "currently" bwing built by Philippe de Lespinay in the US.

Not sure how correct this is... but there is a photo of lamplough at Mosport 1964 in the article.

If you want anything scanning, let me know your e-mail address (By PM or otherwise) and I'll see what I can do.


Ray, I saw a (the?) BT17 being hill-climbed in the UK in the early 70s, Don't know what happened to it after that.

Jeremy

[David M. Kane]

Was one of these cars run by Sid Taylor? Is so, that car is in San Antonio
and is owned by Dr. Julio Palmazz. I know his mechanic fairly well. Its a
pretty car.

[rdrcr]

Congrats on your purchase Mark... looks to be a very fun car with an important history.


Here is a photo of the first 1965 Brabham BT8 Sports/Racer (Chassis SC-1-65) at Coys Historic Festival in May 2000. This was the second year of production for the BT8 (successor to the BT5), with Climax engines of 2 and 2.7 litres. I understand that these were very successful in the U.S. from 1965 onwards.


This Mark's car... The first ever, BT8 built, SC-64-1. At the time this photo was taken, it was owned by Phillipe de Lespinay. Here, shown at Laguna Seca in 1999. The car was reported to have the original Climax engine and Hewland HD-5 gearbox. Nice car!


...oh you wanted "period" photos...



76-Skip Barber in his Brabham BT8 chasses 141- Bob Brown in the Ring Free Special at Virginia International Raceway.

[marksimpson]

Richard;

Thanks for the very informative response, I would appreciate recieving any other tidbits you can find about Brabham BT'8s. I am going to take the car to Walter Mitty vintage race in late April at Road Atlanta for it debut. Once I have a full schedule sorted for this season I will advise where we'll have the old girl out to. It may be BRG with yellow/gold nose accent striping rather than the current gelcoat red by the time we finish sorting. Currently debating color scheme with other friends at speed. Thanks again for the info. Mark

[rdrcr]

You're welcome Mark... If I run across anything else, I'll be sure to post it.

Good Luck on your maiden effort at Road Atlanta.

[David M. Kane]

BTW, it was a Brabham custom that Sir Jack drove the first chassis of every
model that the factory made.

[Ray Bell]

I rather prefer what he did with the BT8...

He got a 2.7 engine to bolt into his own car... none of this 2-litre stuff!