1968 Brabham BT21B Formula B

History

In the 1960s and 70s Brabham cars won World Championships in Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, and won U.S. Championships in Formula B and Formula C. They also competed at the Indianapolis 500 and in Formula 5000 racing. 

The most popular Brabham was the BT21, built between 1967 and 1969. They were developed from the earlier Brabham BT18 models, but had now had a “shallower,” and noticeably stiffer, chassis. The BT21’s track dimensions were wider, while the body was slimmer than on the BT18’s. They were quicker too.

The BT21’s were powered by a variety of engines. These included 1100 c.c. engines for F3 and FC racing, and 1600 c.c. twin cam engines for F2 and FB racing. Some BT21’s raced in Formula Libre with even larger engines. The BT21 cars were raced in period by such luminaries as Jack Brabham, James Hunt (including in the movie “Rush”), Ronnie Peterson, Piers Courage, Derek Bell, Jim Hall, Peter Gethin, Skip Barber, Howden Ganley, Kurt Ahrens and others. A BT21 in F2 spec with a Cosworth 1600 c.c. FVA raced in the 1967 Spanish Grand Prix, finishing in 12th behind the Lotus 49’s of Jim Clark and Graham Hill. 

The particular Brabham offered here, chassis BT21B-31,was the last BT21B constructed at the Brabham works. It still retains its original chassis plate on the dash and its original SCCA stamp on the roll bar. It comes with a CAMS Historic Car Certificate of Description (the most difficult to get). The Brabham has been awarded an SVRA Gold Medallion in honor of its period correctness and authenticity. The car still has its original SCCA log book as well as a current log book, and comes with abundant documentation supporting its history. Also included are mimeographed period MRD chassis set up sheets that came with the new Brabhams in period.  

Noted race car historian, Chris Townsend, reports that Brabham BT21B-31, with an Arch Motors stamping of “AM 282” (which is still on this car’s chassis), was originally finished in British Racing Green. Additionally, George Thornton (MRD Workshop Foreman) confirmed that the car went new to Fred Opert Racing in April/May of 1968. 

Approximately in June/July 1968, BT21B-31 was sold by Fred Opert Racing to Dale Lang in FC configuration with an 1100 c.c. engine. Lang shared the Brabham with co-driver, Fred Harris. According to Harris, the Brabham’s  first race was Virginia International Raceway.

Lang and Harris shared the Brabham throughout 1968 and 1969. The car was raced in the SCCA Continental Championship, a professional series for Formula B and Formula C. The car raced in both FC configuration (1100 c.c.) and FB configuration (1600 c.c. twin cam).  In mid-year 1969, they tried the car with a VeganTune twin cam engine and raced it at the July 20, 1969 Sprints Road America. Unfortunately, Lang retired after 18 laps. After that unsuccessful outing with the VeganTune, Lang reverted back to the 1100 c.c engine to run in the FC class. 

At the end of the 1969 season, Lang returned the BT21B to Fred Opert Racing as a part of a trade deal for a new BT29. This is confirmed in a Brabham Association Register email from another early owner of BT21B-31, David Mitchell, and also confirmed in a letter from Dale Lang in Nokomis, Florida, dated 12/5/13.

On March 24th 1970, Fred Opert sold BT21B-31 to Russ Freed with the bigger FB wheels of the time, for $5,125. Freed applied for an SCCA Log Book issued June 20th 1970 by the Steel City Region of SCCA. It was log book #038-068. Freed raced the car in various forms of set up, including wide tyres, BT29 front style nose wings, and rear wings and slicks. The color was changed from BRG, to Red and White, and later to Chocolate Maroon with Butterflies and Flowers (Hippie moment, see photographs). It was later painted white. All of this is evidenced by many documents, including the original Bill of Sale, Inv. #13982, SCCA log book, multiple photographs, invoices for parts, personal email from Russ Freed to David Watkins dated October 29th 2013 confirming ownership, race history, and subsequent sale to Dr. Bruce Parker. 

In February 1986, Dr. Bruce Parker bought the Brabham for $1,250 as a rolling chassis. It still had its gearbox and the wing (Bruce still has the wing in his barn). Over the next 12 months, Bruce fully restored the car to FB specs and painted it Red with a Grey Nose and stripe. The car was run, but not raced. This is evidenced by an email from Bruce Parker to David Watkins dated October 28th 2013, confirming purchase from Freed and restoration to FB (Lotus Twin cam specs). It is also evidenced by many photos of the car in restoration. 

Circa 1988, Don Orosco, a race car restorer, racer, and dealer, bought the Brabham from Parker claiming that he wanted the BT21B for himself. However, he flipped it straight to Dick Barbour (Dick Barbour Racing), as evidenced by email correspondence with Dick Barbour. Barbour raced the Brabham a few times in Historic Racing. 

On May 13th 1989, the Brabham was sold to Richard Schoenfeld, a dealer/entrepreneur, for $75,000. He then sold the car to Everett Anton Singer September 11th 1989 for $125,000. This is evidenced in an email from Dick Barbour dated November 3rd 2013.

On November 4th 1989, Everett Anton Singer sold the car to Irwin Lui, a collector/dealer. Irwin attempted to sell the car to Old Timer Garage via Ebay but was unsuccessful.

On June 1st 2007, the Brabham was sold to David Mitchell in New Zealand for NZ$100,000. The exchange rate at the time was approximately $1.30. Mitchell undertook a total chassis rebuild with Higgins Motorsport, including installing a new Lotus twin cam engine. The car was then sorted by Bob and Grady Homewood of Hitech Motorsport Auckland. David raced the car only a few times at Hampton Downs.  

On December 14th 2012, the BT21B-31 was sold to David Watkins in Perth, Australia. Watkins raced the Brabham at Hampton Downs in January 2013, before shipping the Brabham to England and racing it at Silverstone and Snetterton in May and June 2013. The car returned to Australia November 28th 2013, and raced three additional times. It is David Watkins who must be credited with the hundreds of hours and many dollars putting most of this history together.  

On February 20th 2015, the Brabham was purchased by Daniel Chapman of Texas. Since then the car has been actively campaigned in Historic races around the U.S. and always professionally maintained.

Description

The Brabham is currently powered by a Savannah Race Engineering 1600 c.c. Lotus Ford twin cam engine. The dry sump engine breathes through twin 45 DCOE Weber carburetors. The engine’s power is delivered through a Hewland Mk. 8 five speed gearbox. 

The chassis is the multi tubular space frame design that was typical of the period, and easily repaired. The body is fiberglass, or Glass Reinforced Plastic (“GRP”), which was also typical for these Formula Cars. The front suspension is unequal length wishbones with forged uprights and Koni shock absorbers. The rear suspension uses inverted lower wishbones, Brabham magnesium uprights,  and a single top link with twin radius arms. The car is also fitted with Girling disc brakes all around and adjustable sway bars. The Brabham tips the scales at 950 lbs. 

BT21B-31 is in good condition, with the patina of having been actively raced. The engine has approximately 18 hours on it. 

This BT21B is one of the classic formula cars of the 1960’s. It will always be in style, and very cool, just like James Garner in his iconic film, “Grand Prix.” 

At one time, as you can see from the reported history above, this authentic Brabham was trading at nearly double its current asking price. So it would certainly seem that now would be a great time to pick it up for just about half. But there’s more. 

This year, 2025, is the 60th anniversary of the SCCA’s Formula B. In honor of that, the Continental Championship Reunion Series will be featuring a five race Championship here in the U.S. This is a celebration of the U.S. pro series for Formula A, Formula B, and Formula C that took place in the late 1960’s. It will be an exhilarating series featuring the cars that launched many racing careers in the U.S. and Canada. The race dates and locations are as follows:

SVRA Sonoma: April 24 – 27 

SVRA Laguna Seca: May 2 – 4

SVRA Indianapolis:  June 12 – 15

RMVR High Plains Raceway: July 31 – August 3

VSCDA Road America: September 11 – 14

So don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a classic 1960’s Brabham formula car very inexpensively, and in time for the 60th anniversary year Continental Championship Series.

Win-win.

All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.

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