1966 Brabham BT18

History

Pickering raced the Brabham in Formula LIbre events in 1971 and 1972. He finished on the podium at the 7th round of the 1971 BOC Formula Libre Championship. In 1973, Pickering sold the Brabahm to Rob Loughton. 

From Loughton the Braham went through the hands of the following people up to the present; Robin Meade, David Wilson, Paul Shires, Paul Spires, Michael Rigby, and Joe Gordon.

Michael Rigby, of Vancouver, BC, purchased the Brabham in the 1990s and raced it in historic races. In 2001, the BT18 was restored by Horizon Racing.

In 2002, the Brabham was purchased by Joe Gordon. The car has raced in U.S. west coast races ever since, including a trip to New Zealand in 2004, for the Southern Festival of Speed. During this time the BT18 was maintained by Racecraft out of Woodinville, Washington.

The Brabham BT18’s originality is supported by documentation that comes with the car. This includes three separate sources confirming the car to be a Brabham BT18 with two sources suggesting it was one of the eight BT18b cars.  One document is from the Brabham Register dated 11/89.  The second is from Arch Motors dated 10/89.  And the third from Peter Speakman dated 11/89. The car will also come with an HSCC Vehicle Identity form for F2. 

The Brabham will come with other documents as well, including a copy of the April, 1965 issue of Motor Racing which discusses the upcoming 1966 F2 season. Additionally included are copies of various period Autosport magazines that cover the 1967 F2 season as well as various issues covering hillclimb results and Brabham articles.  Also included is the Feb 26, 1970, issue of Autosport with a picture of Spencer Elton driving the car.

The BT18 was most recently raced in July, 2021. It is fresh and ready for its new owner.

Description

The Brabham is powered by an Ivey Engines 1.6-liter Lotus twin-cam, rebuilt in 2018. Work included a new head, replacement of the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, water pump, distributor, and coil. Dyno sheets are available showing 189 h.p. The fuel cell was also replaced in 2018.

Since the motor refresh the car has seen limited racing due to health issues and COVID. The log book shows just over 10 hours on the motor in 5 race events. Recent compression test shows an average of 178psi across all 4 cylinders.

The Hewland Mk.9 gearbox was serviced by Jim Froula of Racecraft in 2019. The servicing included, among other things, replacement of the second, fourth, and fifth gears as well as dog rings.

The BT16 rides on period-correct Brabham “wobbly” wheels with Avon treaded racing tires. The Koni 8212 adjustable shocks are of aluminum construction. The brake calipers are Lockheed  LD19 and LD20.

The Willans belts are valid through 2022. The steering wheel is also removable for easy cockpit entry and exit. The car is equipped with period correct Smiths gauges.

Included with the sale will be a set of  additional wheels, plus two more. The second set is nice to have for swapping out on a race weekend, or for a set of rain tires. In addition, the Brabham will come with a spare set of bodywork, an exhaust muffler for sound restricted events, and other miscellaneous small bits.

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.

(c) 1996-2021, Motorsports Market. All Rights Reserved.

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