Parnell-BRM

GTO Racing · 13 Aug 2006, 17:04 (Ref:1681338)

In 1966, this beautifull 2 liter BRM engined british sportscar, driven by Mike Spence, took 2 wins at Goodwood and Crystal Palace.

Does anybody remember this car ? Photos ? Technical information ?
What did this car become after the 1966 season ?

**John Turner** · 13 Aug 2006, 21:04 (Ref:1681539)

Well, I remember it at Silverstone in the mid to late 60's beating a field quite comfortably when it had a mechanical failure (can't remember what, though) and I seem to remember Mike D'Udy inheriting the win in a Porsche Carrera 6. Unfortunately, I can't find a programme for it, so may have imagined the whole thing!

However, Reg Parnell entered this car for Spence to race in the 1967 Martini International Trophy at Silverstone. However, I don't know whether it started or finished. I'll try to check. Interestingly, also entered in that race were two other 'one off's' powered by the same capacity BRM engine (1930cc); the Felday-BRM for Mac Daghorn and the Willment-BRM to be driven by Innes Ireland.

**John Turner** · 14 Aug 2006, 20:48 (Ref:1682577)

Surprisingly, my memory did not fail me. I don't know whether the car finished the Martini International Trophy or if it did where it finished. It was certainly not in the top ten (The field was full of T70s, GT40s and 250LMs) but it did later in the day compete in the 25 lap Sports and GT race and this is the one i recall above. It was leading by a country mile, posting fastest lap, when the engine started to run very rough. It was overhauled about 3 laps from the end by the De Udy (correct spelling!) Porsche but hung on to take second.

GTO Racing · 15 Aug 2006, 08:08 (Ref:1682942)

Thanks John,

Anything else ?

What about the BRM powered Willment ? I have a pic of this car which looks like a kind of "pickup" prototype, and that's all.

macca · 16 Aug 2006, 06:37 (Ref:1683869)

The Willment is still around, it has raced at the Goodwood Revival and may well be there again next month if you want to see it.

ISTR reading that Parnell were building their own F1 for 1964 before Reg died and Chapman sold them some Lotus 25s and that the suspension etc from the unfinished car was used on the sports car.

Paul M

Graham Clayton · 19 Nov 2013, 08:57 (Ref:3333498)

Quote:

Originally Posted by macca

The Willment is still around, it has raced at the Goodwood Revival and may well be there again next month if you want to see it.

ISTR reading that Parnell were building their own F1 for 1964 before Reg died and Chapman sold them some Lotus 25s and that the suspension etc from the unfinished car was used on the sports car.

Paul M

Paul,

Quote:

With the RP64 project being mothballed, Tim Parnell instead acquired three Lotus 25's for the 1964 with Les being commissioned to build an Aluminium bodied Sports racing car;the Parnell BRM.

The car with rear mounted 2 litre normally aspirated BRM enjoyed success in 1966, in the hands of Mike Spence. Spence drove it to victory at Goodwood in the Lavant Cup. Spence went on to win the Anerley Trophy at Crystal Palace and finishing second at Silverstone in July.

Source: http://www.hrscc.co.nz/gemini2.html

bauble · 19 Nov 2013, 09:49 (Ref:3333516)

The Williment at Goodwood in 2010

D-Type · 19 Nov 2013, 11:01 (Ref:3333562)

Is that the Willment-Climax or the Willment-BRM?

bauble · 19 Nov 2013, 11:10 (Ref:3333572)

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Type

Is that the Willment-Climax or the Willment-BRM?

According to the programme it is a 1956 Willment-Climax 1960cc.

bauble · 19 Nov 2013, 11:28 (Ref:3333578)

Looking at my 1958 programme for the Daily Express Trophy Meeting I see that John Willment had entered two cars, a 1960cc for Jack Brabham and a 1666cc for Stuart Lewis-Evans, at the GP Meeting Brabham was entered in a 1474cc car. I do not have any results.

nicanary · 19 Nov 2013, 12:34 (Ref:3333603)

I think the earlier post which referred to the Willment was about the much later rear-engined car. This was BRM powered at the time when 2-litre sportscar racing was very much the vogue.

bauble · 19 Nov 2013, 14:16 (Ref:3333648)

[QUOTE=GTO Racing;1681338]In 1966, this beautifull 2 liter BRM engined british sportscar, driven by Mike Spence, took 2 wins at Goodwood and Crystal Palace.

Interestingly when Mike Spence won the race at Goodwood, the Felday was third, and the Willment BRM fourth.

RickT · 4 Dec 2013, 11:02 (Ref:3340061)

Hi Guys

The Willment BRM is still alive and well, its been part of our family since 1978!

We havent raced it for about 8 years now due to a well earned engine rebuild. The engine is now back in one piece and we should hopefully have it back out on track in the HSCC Guards Trophy this season.

Cheers
RickT

**John Turner** · 4 Dec 2013, 13:13 (Ref:3340097)

That is great news, Rick

RickT · 5 Dec 2013, 13:17 (Ref:3340433)

Thanks John

A photo of Dad in the Willment BRM at Donington in 1980, with season long rival Richard Dodkins in close attendance with his Ginetta G12!

We last ran it at Goodwood in about 2003 I think, hopefully it will be seen out again soon !

Cheers
Rick