Brabham BT18

[Leif Rideout]

Thanks, Bryan & Chris. Sorry to press for more info... On Chris' list #22 is the Winkleman car, #28 the Troberg car. The chassis # is in [#], does that mean "info not verified" or something else? Does the MAE listed for #28 possibly mean it originally ran F3? I'm trying to figure out what it ran as initially. Thanks again, Leif

[Steve Wilkinson]

In the Hillclimb review there is a section on Spencer Elton and his dad Tom. In it Quentin Spurring mentions the three BT18 chassis that the family owned in 1969.

Spencer used for thr '69 Season mainly the ex Peter Lawson BT18 (F2-12-66) whuch he had bought off Peter Blankstone. It also mentions that he had by the time the report was published sold the car to Rod Pickering who was going to use it on the circuits.

Tom used the ex- Hawley/Fenwick chassis (F2-8-66).

The third chassis (the ex-Irwin/Deal F2-21-66) is reported to be the chassis that Spencer is planning to use in 1970.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

In the Hillclimb review there is a section on Spencer Elton and his dad Tom. In it Quentin Spurring mentions the three BT18 chassis that the family owned in 1969.

Spencer used for thr '69 Season mainly the ex Peter Lawson BT18 (F2-12-66) whuch he had bought off Peter Blankstone. It also mentions that he had by the time the report was published sold the car to Rod Pickering who was going to use it on the circuits.

Tom used the ex- Hawley/Fenwick chassis (F2-8-66).

The third chassis (the ex-Irwin/Deal F2-21-66) is reported to be the chassis that Spencer is planning to use in 1970.

CORRECTION to the above: the third chassis (F2-21-66) was used on occasions by Spencer in 1969 and was part of Elton Motors stock whilst in 1970 Autosport speculated that Spencer would be using the ex-Williamson BT21C.

[Steve Wilkinson]

These snipets are from the 24/02/67 Autosport (Vol 34 No 8)

1) Peter Gaydon has "bought the ex-Rollo Fielding BT18"

2) As part of a piece on Harry Stiller it mentions that "back in August (1966) he bought the BT18 from Ken Bass & Jackie Oliver"

3) In the preview to a sprint event it mentions that "George Cayley is entered in the ex-Erik Hazelhoff BT18"

[Steve Wilkinson]

In a report on the 30th March Yeovilton sprint within this issue Spencer Elton's BT18 is described as "ex-Malcolm Eaves twin-cam".

[Andrew Fellowes]

Originally Posted by allenbrown

I don't know if this helps but Daniel Gache bought a new BT18 from the factory in 1967 to replace his BT15 (Ech Jun 1973 p55).

So what's this one I wonder, BT18?

Sport Auto No. 88 May 1969

EXCEPTIONNEL : moins cher qu'une Formula France Brabham 69, dédouanée équipée 1600, Gordini 155 CV. Boîte Hewland. Tous les rapports de boîte, 8 pneus toutes les suspensions de recharge (amortisseurs ressorts, triangles, portes, moyeux, etc.) une seule course de côte. Valeur 48 000 F. prix 24 000 F. Daniel GACHE, 26 bis, rue D'Estienne-d'Orves, AVIGNON Tel, : 81.18.195

Less expensive than a Formula France, rebuilt shocks etc, only one hill climb.

(the type is a bit small, not sure if I copied it correctly)

[GR03]

Chris Walter,

I just noticed your inquiry and yes I was one of the owners of this beautiful machine. I was very fortunate as they say "to be at the right place and time" to meet Mr. E. K. and purchase as it was my first open wheel car ever and one that helped me go through my drivers school at Nelson Ledges and begin the journey which I still pursue today. The looks very different from when I had it as it had a shovel nose and F3 Rear wing. Part of the original purchase agreement was for Ed to bring the car down to Nelson the weekend of my first drivers school and help me get through it. I remember being so "green" as they say because when my Instructor Rod Whelan inspected the car the first thing he asked was where were my racing slicks? Being new to the sport I didn't have a clue what he was asking as the tires on it where the old No dots grooved Firestonse. Rod kept reminding me that as my speed began to increase to watch out and not drive off the track. Please keep me posted as to your racing results and how you are doing and good luck!

Cheers!

Denny S.

[Leif Rideout]

Hello all, an update with a question here. I have acquired BT-18 #F2-28-66 (Picko Troberg F3 car) from John Counsell (UK), it arrived in San Francisco last Wednesday & is now in Monterey, California area. The paperwork says AM130 but the paint is a bit heavy in that area (and my eyes suck at close-up work) to really read the numbers so the question is: does AM130 match with your data or should I strip the paint to verify what the number is? It is set up as FB now (twin cam, Mk9 gearbox, 8"/10" wheels, near mint condition) & my 1st race with it is this weekend at Thunderhill. Thanks for your input, Leif Rideout

[allenbrown]

A feature on John Bridges (AS 17 Jan 1969 p25) says he bought a BT18 for 1966 (having sold his ex-Bloor BT14 to John Davies). He retained this for 1967, briefly fitting an injected Vegantune twin cam, and sold it to Frank Williams at the end of that year.

Chris - does this help your Frank Williams BT18 jigsaw or just complicate it?

[Leif Rideout]

In case you have not come across these pix in your browsing, go to http://62.149.36.46/~bruce/cgi-bin/monaco65.htm. Nice photos by Barry Boor at the Monaco F3 race in 1965. Enjoy!

[Teretonga]

I'm trying to decypher some New Zealand "BT18"s, mostly from the 1970 Tasman season entry lists. Could someone check this for me?

Graham Watson - "BT18" in 1970 Internationals = BT16 F2-9-65
Wayne Murdoch - "BT18" in 1970 Internationals = BT10 IC-6-64
Dexter Dunlop - "BT18" entry only in 1970 = BT18 AM144 (but not bought)
Russ Noble - "BT18" in 1974 Internationals = BT18 AM168?
Murray Baker - "Elk" in 1975 Internationals = BT18 AM168 + 5-litre Chev

Or was Watson in BT18 AM144?
Hi Allen
Watsons 'BT18' was indeed the ex Oxton BT 16.
Murdoch's BT18 was the ex Cusack/McDonald BT10 but I am not sure this car was destroyed. I'm sure it was sold onwards. Murdoch purchased the ex Lawrence M4A before on selling it as he couldn't afford to run it.
Dunlops BT18 could have been the ex Lawrence AM144. Lawrence had sold the car to John Nicholson of McLaren-Nicholson fame before he later departed to Europe.

Noble/Baker BT18 i am not sure but the two were from Christchurch. Noble also converted one of his Brabhams into a 2 litre twin-cam sports car in the early 70's.

[David Irwin]

I owned BT18 F2-1-66 for a number of years. Purchased early 90's from Jeff Cox, who purchased from Van Durette (SP?). Don't know the year of this sale either. This car had a small aluminum tag stamped F2-1-66 riveted to the frame, not an original Brabham tag. I was very perplexed when I first obtained this car because it had small rear uprights like the BT15/16. With some research help from Mr. Ted Walker, he discovered some photos of the car with Chris Irwin and Mike Beckwith driving that clearly showed the small rear uprights.
I sold this car to Andrew Dyson in 2000/2001.

David Irwin
Evergreen, CO.

[Chris Townsend]

David

F2.1.66 last seen for sure in UK in ad in Autosport early 1969, described as not having raced since August 68. Probably the car of Bob King at this point. May have been sold to Ed Reeves in UK, since he has an ex Irwin BT18 after this and the other Irwin chassis is stll being raced by Peter Deal and David Wray.

Van Durrett: came from North Carolina and raced a BT21C in FC nationals from 1974 to 1978, this might be your car with an optimistic appellation or he might, indeed, have moved on from a BT18 at regional level.

Chris

[Chris Townsend]

David

Bit more on Van Durrett, came from Spartanburg SC [sorry not NC]
However, I have a lead on your F2-1-66.
Harry Reynolds appears at VIR in Sept 1969 with a Brabham described in the programme as "European F3 Champ 1966".
Now there wasn't a European F3 championship back then, but there was the F3 European Champ race at Brands on 2 October. Won by Irwin in a BT18...
Irwin raced at least two BT18s, but the other known entity is still in UK in Sept 69.
What adds to this story is that Ed Reeves - who is credited with an ex Irwin BT18 in UK F3 in 1969 - doesn't appear in this car after early August and by September is running a BT21B

Chris

[allenbrown]

Ed Reeves' F3 Brabham also appeared twice in libres a little earlier than this: Cadwell Park 29 Jun 1969 and Oulton Park 5 Jul 1969 (where David Martell drove it).

[David Irwin]

I may be wrong in stating F2-1-66 was a Chris Irwin car, I do remember it being a Mike Beckwith, Roger Mac car. And was a Checkered Flag team car, and Chris Irwin was on the team, but not driving this car? I think I gave all my paperwork to the new owner when I sold it. I may have some paperwork, but haven't located it since my move, as of yet. Ted should have some of this tho? I think I wished it was a Chris Irwin car. No relation to me, that I know.
Ted also thought this car was used as the DAP transmission test car. The engine bay had some modifications!

The car was definitely not a BT21, of any spec. It was a F3 spec built BT18 frame. Did not have the F2 rectangular dash bulkhead tubing or the lockheed calipers. I believe Durette owned it in the early 70's.

I've owned (2)BT10's, a 15, a 18, a 21, (2)29's , a 30, and (2) 35's and have restored everything from a BT6 to BT35's including two F1 cars, wished I'd kept better paperwork. Too busy doing the work.....

David Irwin
Evergreen, CO.

[Chris Townsend]

Originally Posted by allenbrown

Just found Mike Irons in an "ex-Reeves" Brabham-Holbay BT18 in a Monoposto race an Snetterton (AS 27 Aug 1970 p50).

That might help someone one day...

Or not...

So Reeves's 'ex Irwin' car is not the ex King 'ex Irwin' car.
Time for a review of the Chequered Flag's BT18s

We do have observation somewhere of BT18 F2.1.66 as Irwin's I think...

Chris

[allenbrown]

I was just browsing Mike Lawrence's book Brabham-Ralt-Honda and it mentions that one of the works F2 Brabham-Hondas was sent to Japan at the end of 1966 as a gift to Honda.

That is unlikely to have been the prototype BT21 so probably F2-18-66 or F2-19-66. As F2-18-66 is reported to be out in 1967, I'd guess that fobbed Honda off with Hulme's car. Honda were clearly under the impression they had Jack's car.

Was F2-21-66 a works F2 car too? When did it race?

[Bryan Miller]

In the latest issue of the HSRCA [ Australia] magazine , one member has just returned from a trip to Japan which included a visit to the Honda museum , on display are , a BT18 , A BT21 and an RH6 F2.

[Chris Townsend]

The prototype BT21 [chassis F2.20.66 according to F1R] was sold to John Kendall for 1967.
F2.21.66 was one of the Chequered Flag cars. F1R give the number for Peter Deal's car in 1969 and Deal's car is described as 'ex Irwin' MN 9.3.67 p.13
I think that Chequered Flag must have had three BT18s in all. Chassis 1, an unknown early chassis, can only be 2, 3, 14 or 16 and then chassis 21. Irwin probably did drive all three...
These then go:
chassis 1: King and then to USA for Reynolds
unknown chassis: Unknown to 1969 and then to Reeves
chassis 21 to Deal 1967 then David Wray 1970 [Or is it possible that Reeves buys Deal's car and then sells it to Wray?]

Chris

[allenbrown]

Originally Posted by Bryan Miller

In the latest issue of the HSRCA [ Australia] magazine , one member has just returned from a trip to Japan which included a visit to the Honda museum , on display are , a BT18 , A BT21 and an RH6 F2.

That's useful. Interesting that they have a BT21. The only BT21 with relevance to Honda was the prototype wasn't it? That went to John Kendall and it seems unlikely Honda would have bought it third hand.

Said HSRCA member didn't happen to lean into the cockpits and note the chassis plates did he?

[Denis Lupton]

A longtime friend of mine, Brian Andrew, who passed away some time ago, worked as a mechanic for the "Flag" (or the Tatty Banner, as he called it) from late '64, through to 68. We corresponded regularly during this period, and some of his letters and photos that he sent me have recently been unearthed by my wife, bringing back many memories.

From these letters, the 1965 Repco Brabhams were,
BT15 F3-8-65
BT16 F2-15-65
Drivers:- Roy Pike, Roger Mac, Chris Irwin

1966 Repco Brabhams,
BT16 F2-15-65 (Sold on early in season)
BT18 F2-1-66
BT18 F2-21-66
BT18 F2-25-66
BT18 F2-31-66
Drivers:- Chris Irwin, Roger Mac, Bob Bondurant, Mike Beckwith, Cacho Fangio, Tim Schenken, Alec Poole, Gijs Van Lennep, Trevor Blokdyk, Jonathan Williams, Andrea de Adamich.

Brian also worked on the 'Flags Cobra, which he described as going from the sublime to the ridiculous (from little Brabham's to the monstrous Cobra) and he spent some time on the DAF transmission cars. I have quite a few of his photos of all these cars.

Denis

[allenbrown]

Fascinating stuff Denis. That should solve a few problem cars.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

4 November 1971 issue of Autosport

Page 33 and in the report on the opening round of the Silverstone Sprint Championship there is a picture of the car plus in the body of the report a reference to it being the 'ex-Eccles, Thwaites Brabham BT18'.

Thanks again David for the chassis number. This one is now put to bed!

F2-44-66 was at Shelsley Walsh over the week-end being driven by CURRENT owner Bryan Eccles. It was looking immaculate after a Peter Denty work-out!

The car is currently for sale and I understand will be driven by a potential new owner at Curborough on the 21st October.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

F2-44-66 was at Shelsley Walsh over the week-end being driven by CURRENT owner Bryan Eccles. It was looking immaculate after a Peter Denty work-out!

The car is currently for sale and I understand will be driven by a potential new owner at Curborough on the 21st October.

After the 60th Anniversary of the British Hillclimb Championship meeting at Shelsley Walsh when nearly everyone had packed up and set off home the Eccles BT18 was given a run up the hill by the propective new buyer. When he returned to the Paddock the deal was done and Simon Durling is now the new owner. He is still planning to give the car a run out at Curborough on the 21st.