Description:

​​​​1967 Brabham BT21-16 AM180.

An Immaculate example of a  Brabham BT21 Historic Formula B / Libre.

Fitted with a new  1.6L Lotus Ford Twin-Cam engine. 200+ horsepower.

This car has been correctly set up, it is light, fast and beautiful. It is fully track ready with no excuses.

It has a current SVRA logbook. Monoposto Club legal.

BT21-16 has been completely restored to an immaculate standard by Brabham specialist Sasco Sport.  The photos will show this to be one of the finest BT21’s available, and is currently located for viewing with Sasco Sport at VIR Virginia.

The researched history of this Brabham is exceptional. Being driven in period by the late F1 World Champion, James Hunt in his Formula 3 days.

The Restoration.

Frame.

Fully restored by Dean Hutchinson of GMT Racing and correctly upgraded to Formula B/Libre specifications. A period style roll bar was kept, but to allow for current safety regulations, it was built to meet current height standards.

Brabham’s of this era had radiator water running in the frame tubes to the engine. The FIA no longer allows this practice on safety grounds, and external alloy tubes are now installed, with original frame tube kept as an option.

Suspension.

All new Suspension and drive shafts supplied via Peter Denty in UK. Bright Nickel plated.

All Rod ends are fresh.

New Koni Alloy Shocks all round from Truechoice, with EBC powder coated springs (250lbs front, 350lbs rear).

All uprights are new but as original. The rear Magnesium uprights have the larger internal bearing size to cope with modern tires and increased horsepower. 

The drive shaft donuts couplings are the larger Formula Two/Libre size, again to safely handle the increased power, and the drive shafts have the added feature of a locating pins installed to prevent damage in unlikely event of a coupling failure.

An original Brabham supplied “Set Up” sheet is supplied with the car.

Wheels.

Rare original Brabham 4 spoke Magnesium wheels., with correct off-sets are mounted.

Widths are 10”x13” Front, and 12”x13” Rear. 

X-Rayed and powder coated. 

Brakes.

Upgraded to correct period Formula 2/B specifications. Girling Alloy AR calipers at front, with correct alloy calipers at rear. All Stainless-steel braided flexible brake lines with AN fittings, and new hard copper lines running within frame. The “Brake Balance” bar is original, as are the front bulkhead mounted pedals. 

Tires.

Avon A11 treaded tires. Medium compound. Supplied by Sasco Sport.  Only 20min run time, but now 3 years old. Good for testing. I would recommend new tires for racing.

Instruments and Dash.

Correct Smiths Chrome Bezel instruments, indicating - Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Water Temperature. 

A Farringdon “Smiths” electronic 10,000RPM “Chronometric” Tach with red tell tail, was sourced from the UK. This Tach acts like the original cable Tach.  It has a stepping Motor up to 5000RPM, and then a smooth action. It has much improved accuracy. It is a faithful replica of the original Smiths Chronometric Tach.

Correct style Switches are Fuel pump, Ignition, Rain light, and Battery Cutoff.

Steering.

A New Peter Denty UK replica Brabham 12” leather bound and hand stitched alloy steering wheel. This has the FIA multi-spline quick disconnect system, allowing quick removal of steering wheel, and zero play while on and in action.

The steering rod is new, plated and has a new universal joint at the steering rack.

The steering rack is original, with all new internal components and correctly set for zero bump-steer.

Body.

All Correct fiberglass Brabham BT21 body, with internal nose radiator shroud. 

(NOT included in the sale, is a full set of molds for the BT21 body. Available by separate treaty). 

The stunning paint is fresh with a few small blemishes from track rock chips. The whole design is to replicate the original owner (Sir Frank Williams) livery.

The windscreen was supplied by Peter Denty, UK and is a period correct molded “Perspex” type, with correct original rare spun Alloy “Raydot” mirrors.

Fuel System.

An original and rare wrap around alloy internal fuel tank is installed. A new fuel cell with interior safety foam is installed within to meet current safety standards. This tank contains up to 10 gallons.

All fuel lines are stainless steel braided, with AN fittings.

The carburetors are correct Weber DCOE 45’s with jets perfectly set up on Dyno.

Accelerator return springs are fitted to both pedal and Carburetor body as required by FIA.

Fire Suppressant System.

A new mechanical FIA approved Halon Fire Suppressant system is plumbed throughout, and is invisible when body is in place.

Seat and harness.

Original leather covered seat is provided, and is adjustable. A current FIA OMP 6-point quick release Harness with HANS device approved shoulder straps is installed. All attachment points being added to frame during restoration.

Electrical System.

Original style electrical 12Volts system with all new wiring, an external power receptacle, and a 12Volt Odyssey Extreme Battery.

Cooling.

A new high capacity hand-built Alloy radiator is installed. It is a replica of the original SERC brass type. Both lighter and more efficient. The original is supplied with the car.

This radiator follows the original Brabham style of cooling both the engine coolant, and engine oil in one unit.

Engine.

1.6L Lotus Ford Twin-Cam. This is a fresh dry sump engine with zero miles. The cylinder head fitted is a Dave Veger unit. The rest of the engine was built from new parts. This was completed by the renowned engine builder Peter Marcovicci of MWE fame. This included a ”new” Ford steel block, Arrows(UK) Forged steel crank, with JE Pistons and Carrillo rods.

 The dyno sheet shows a maximum horsepower of 201.5 at 7900RPM with a maximum torque of 139ft-lbs. This is an absolutely top engine. With a build cost in excess of $18,000.

The ignition is an electronic system which has the capability of a Rev limiter if desired.

An original painted Lotus period style cam cover is fitted. (A new after-market BRM replica cam cover is available for a  separate purchase if desired).

The exhaust is a hand-made stainless-steel tuned system. It is the under and over, four into one  type, and is based on the Formula two cars of the era. A really beautifully made system which allows better throttle control and improved torque at higher RPM’s.

The current Dyno sheet showing power and torque is included in photos.

Gearbox.

A freshly rebuilt Hewland Mk 8 gearbox by Sasco Sport is installed. It has been significantly modified for reliability and performance. This gearbox has the uprated “Rhino’” case for greater strength and rigidity. It has been upgraded to 5 forward gears and reverse. The Crown wheel and pinion has a full mechanical differential, and the gear sets are the upgraded “S” type.

All this allows the unit to be strong enough to handle the horsepower provided by the Lotus engine, without the extra weight of the bigger and heavier FT200 style gearbox.

The History.

1967 - Purchased by Frank Williams for driver/co-owner Richard Burton

Run in UK Formula 3 with Ford MAE 1-liter engine.

Crashed at Oulton Park.

1968 - Purchased by John Campbell and repaired.

1968 - Purchased by Jim Gleve for MRE (Motor Racing Enterprises, England) for Wayne Mitchell(co-owner).

1969 - Purchased outright by MRE for season. Raced by James Hunt and J.P Jabouille in

UK Formula 3.

1970 - Purchased by Terry Harmer for Euro Formula 3 season.

1971…unknown…. until 1980

1980 - Roy Lane. Hill Climb - UK

1984 - Richard Thompson. Hill Climb - UK

1986 - Max Batton / John Waters. Hill Climb - UK

1988 Tony Hilderbrant.

1989 Jay Galpin.  Purchased and shipped car to USA and raced vintage as a Formula Continental with 1.0L MAE engine.

2000 David Rasmussen. Converted car to Formula B spec. for SVRA.  Fitted a Dave Veger Lotus Twin Cam engine and upgraded Hewland and Driveshafts. Crashed at Road America.

2010 Jay Galpin. (Re-purchased). Full restoration as above completed in 2016. New MWE engine fitted as above in 2020.

Note - Disclaimer. All historic racing cars have a history that can be lost in time. In 1989 I originally purchased this car in the UK with Chassis plate BT21-16 and with a frame stamping AM180.    I have diligently researched and recorded the above history with great help from Jim Gleve of MRE in UK.

I do not claim absolute accuracy, only this is a summation of the history available attached to this Chassis and Arch Motors frame stamping numbers.

The original purchase agreement of sale in 1989 is available and will be supplied with the car.

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