1964 Brabham BT8
Quick Specs
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2.5-liter twin-cam inline-4.
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250 hp (est.)
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N/A
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During his 15-year career as a driver, Brabham competed in 126 Grands Prix, earned 14 victories, and garnered 3 Formula One Drivers' Championships and two Constructors' Championship wins.
The Legacy of Jack Brabham
By 1965, a push to innovate among race car constructors was rapidly consigning front-engine cars to history. In their place, smaller, more nimble racers with more technically sophisticated, mid-mounted engines were taking to the field to demonstrate what could be achieved with precision fabricating, clever engineering, and improved aerodynamics.
The Brabham BT8 was based on the two-seat BT5 that, in turn, was based on the firm’s successful Formula Junior one-seater. Embodying technologies perfected in competition against the successful Lotus 23, it employed a beautifully finished multi-tube, space-frame chassis with a 14.5-gallon fuel tank installed on each side for even weight distribution and more predictable handling. There were several engine choices available to the buyer including 2.0-, 2.5-, and 2.7-liter twin-cam versions from Coventry Climax, the last of which generated an exceptional 250 horsepower. A 240-horsepower BRM (British Racing Motors) V-8 could also be specified. This particular BT8 was Jack Brabham’s personal race car and made use of the largest available Coventry Climax engine, the 2.7-liter, 250-horsepower twin-cam. It was fully restored to race-ready specification with a 2.5-liter Coventry Climax FPF engine.
Collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum, gift of Peter and Lynda Shea.
This vehicle featured in ‘The Vault’.
1964 Brabham BT8 Gallery
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