Brabham BT35

[Andrew Fellowes]

Originally Posted by Richard Knox

.......... It had outboard Brakes & Hewland FT200.
What a chassis this BT35 was! It was such a pleasure to drive. It took me to many, many, race wins, a group championship, & a few lap records.

Outboard brakes are interesting in light of what was said on the BT28 thread.

Originally Posted by Anuauto

Re: the car raced in Guyana in 1972 by Jimmy Fuller.
This thread seems to believe it was BT28-8 (converted to BT35 spec) and in Tom Belso's actual ownership at the time? I am in Antigua next month and may be asked to bring back to UK (for conversion to Video/DVD) some amateur film taken of this car racing in Guyana. I saw the film two years ago and there are some close ups shot in the paddock (but not close enough to see the chassis number!). I have a contact there who could pass questions to Jimmy Fuller or possibly put me in touch with him but I am not sure what exactly needs to be asked to get any more clarification. Maybe all I can get is confirmation that it was hired from Belso, went out on the BOAC flight with other cars and went back to UK afterwards?

Andrew

[Chris Townsend]

Probably not hired by Belso, but maybe sold to Fuller?
F/S AS 14.9.72 p. 56 'Winning F/Atlantic ex Tom Belso not run since rebuild Annette Morgan Studios, c/o John Benefield'
This must refer to Belso's BT28/35 [chassis number noted as BT28-8 in 1971]

Chris

[Richard Knox]

Andrew

I shipped both cars to Bob back in the UK. I will check my files for the chassis # , but this may take awhile.

[Bill D]

To all who have posted in this Thread -- my thanks for helping an admitted novice learn a bit more about these fascinating and in many instances beautiful cars.

I have pieced together a bit of intelligence on B35/44 from previous posts. From what I discern -- and if I'm in error, please feel free to let me know as I admit to being an absolute neophyte among experts -- B35/44 started life as a Hill Climb car in the UK and, as such was one of the few exceptions to F-Atl or F-3(?) configuration. Car has been restored to F-2 specifications and is for sale in Washington state. No indication what the original engine/trans were. As restored, car sports a Cosworth FVA and FT200 trans. (I'm such a novice that I don't even know what "FVA" and "FT" stand for -- as well as some of the other acronyms I've seen in these posts -- if you can point me to where I can learn what they mean, I'd be grateful.) Are these correct for the car in its original manufacture or are they appropriate for its F-2 configuration today. Is there any evidence the car races in F-2? Would it be legal in US vintage racing in that set up. In one of the posts, I'm sorry I can't retrieve it, there was an indication that the B35/43 may have been the last 1971 car and that the B35/44 was built in '72? Does anyone have more on that question? The car as offered for sale appears to be an extraordinary concourse restoration. Haa anyone actually looked at the car recently and can share an opinion?

Thanks in advance to all who respond.
Bill

[Bill D]

Originally Posted by David Irwin

I see I'm pretty late in getting involved here. First a brief intro:

My name is David Irwin, I owned a restoration shop, Lime Rock Motors for 15 years in Connecticut. I've restored about 15 Brabhams, have owned several and have vintage raced since 1989. Recently moved to Virginia, bought some property where I'm putting up a small shop (3200 sq. ft.) while I work for ProtoType Technology Group restoring vintage racing BMW's owneds by BMW of N.A.

Here are some Brabham's I've had contact with:


BT35-26 Needham car TwinCam/MK8, sold to Walt Pawlick.... 2003, Walt told me he was installing a FT200. Wanted to sell or sold the car in 2003.

BT35-41 Log Book back to 1973 shows David Ralston 1973 to 1974, sold to John and Thomas Gloviak 1974 to 1982. Log book shows Formula B with Hart 1600, (2 or 4 valve?), Gloviaks were making some suspension mods, didn't finish, thank goodness, sold to Gene Frings, car just sat, sold to present owner David Irwin 2002 with BDD/FT200.

BT35-44 AM#71 64 ( CL ) Original owner Gray Mickel, 1971, F2 spec car w/ Hart TwinCam (2 or 4 Valve?), changed to FVC. Sold to Rob Turnball 1975. Sold to Fred Edwards 1985, raced Historics 1985 to 1991, restoration not complete 1998?, sold to present owner David Irwin 2001, less engine/FT200.

Hope this helps fill in some gaps for you. Keep up the good work, this info should help many in the future. David Irwin

David Irwin,

I would be most appreciative of any further info. you might provide on BT35/44. I am also in Virginai and would very much appreciate any insight you have.

Bill D

[Bill D]

Originally Posted by Chris Townsend

The bad news is that I can't find the seasonal survey in any copy of 1972 or early 1973 Autosprint and there are no pages or issues missing! The mystery deepens.

I do, however, have a suggestion about the weird number 35-88 that appears in the hands of a couple of drivers late season.

1972 production of BT35 would seem to start with 44 [the Mikel car] as we know 43 was delivered to Gerard in October 71.
This means 45-49 all new cars, and we can pretty much trace the users race by race in 1972.
However
Sc. Italia with backing from Eifelland ordered a new BT35 April 72 for Heinz Lange. The order date means it's ordered after 35-49 appears. Autosprint 8-15 May p. 46 says of the car it is 'scatolata' or 'box-shielded' [Google trans] does this mean plated space-frame? It can't be a BT38C as Lange is always credited with a BT35 that season.
Is this the works putting a funny number on to designate a special car?

Chris

Chris,

Anything further on the 1971/72 split for BT35s? Trying to ID date of BT35/44.

Thanks,
Bill

[Andrew Fellowes]

Hi Bill,

Welcome!
BT35-44 I have as a 1972 build.

It was 1st owned by the Mickels but not sure when the Cosworth FVC (1800cc) was put in. It now has an Cosworth FVA (1600cc). You can change this engine to 1800 without too much drama, new crank & con rods. The gearbox is Hewland FT200 which is period correct.
Dont know your rules in the States but it certainly isn't an F2. The rule here is "As it was, so it shall be" so could run as a 1972 1800cc (libre) car.

Andrew

[Bill D]

Originally Posted by Bob Slusher

I have followed the car for the last few years in my area. Don Roose owner in Seattle. Restoration completed by J&L Restorations. Don sold the car recently and now it is offered again. I have perhaps 80 detail photos of the car if interested.

Bob Slusher
Oregon

Bob,

If you have photos of BT35/44 I would be most interested: wdemarest@blackwellsanders.com

Bill D

[Bill D]

Thanks Andrew. I believe our rules tend to be a bit more lenient, despending on the sanctioning body. I don't know whether this engine/trans were original to the Hill Climb BT35s, merely that it now is purportedly in F-2 configuration. Someone did say this car was converted to F-2 later in the 70s and ran as such until being raced in vintage racing some time in the 80s. Trying to get a handle on what class, or even if, it would qualify for vintage racing in the US.

By the way, do you know wherher there is any significance to 1972 vs 1971? Someone suggested that in an earlier post.

Bill

[Andrew Fellowes]

Originally Posted by Bill D

By the way, do you know wherher there is any significance to 1972 vs 1971? Someone suggested that in an earlier post.

1971 was the last year of 1600cc F2, it was then upped to 2 litre for 1972. I have 8 BT35s for 1972 most going to Italy. One of the last space frame type cars made by Brabham (BT35s & BT36s').
Andrew

[Bill D]

From what I've recently read, 1971 was also the last year before Jack Brabham sold his interest in the UK partnership and returned to Australia. So that may be the significance of whether a car was built in 1971 vs 72 at least in the context of a "hybrid".

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Bill D

Bob,

If you have photos of BT35/44 I would be most interested: wdemarest@blackwellsanders.com

Bill D

This is Chris Dowson driving a BT35 (I assume this is /44 and at this point - 1981 had a REPCO V8 5 litre engine installed).

[allenbrown]

Wasn't that the ex-Mike MacDowel/Tony Brown BT36X-1 Steve?

Bill, I think your car ran on the hills as a F2 but I don't believe it ever circuit raced in period. However, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to run it in F2 in 1.8 FVC trim as that was the right engine for that car and its sisters ran in F2. It would be a pedantic organiser who would say no to you.

[Bryan Miller]

Bill,

I am involved with Historic Eligibility in Australia as well as owning BT35-8 , even here we would allow an FVA in place of an FVC , all we are talking about is 190cc decrease in capacity down from 1790cc to 1600cc , my car should be running 1860cc , I run 1790cc in the interest of block life and even that doesn't work sometimes.

We also allow the use if required of an iron block where the car had in period an alloy block , or also using Webers instead of injection , all the items are seen as a decrease in performance and therefor not because someone is trying to gain an advantage by '' upspecing'' the car simply helping the owner to come out and use the car.

Bryan .

[Andrew Fellowes]

from the 40 thread,

Originally Posted by Richard Knox

I just ran accross this thread. I used to own a BT40 ( as well as a BT35) which I bought from David Kerr ( Jamaica ) & subsequently sold it to Bob Howlings ( UK ). I have no knowledge what happened to it but I suspect that it may have been the Bill Eagles car referred to in an earlier post.

Richard may I ask about the BT35? Mike Sharott had one in Jamaica BT35-35?
Andrew

[Hagis]

Re: Post # 491 and Brabham BT35-26

I spoke with Stefan Johanssons father, Roland, "Lövis". yesterday, so he could confirm and add what I knew about the car.
So.. Torsten Palm first raced at the Lobank F-3 at Brands 30/5/71. As far as I know he used it thru´1972 and 1973.
It was then in 1974 sold to Jan Hammarström who raced it in the "F 1600" class in the series of SSK (Sports car Club of Stockholm). Hammarström also raced half season 1975 when sold to "Lill-Lövis" who just did a couple of races with no success.
In 1976 "Lill-Lövis" hired a GRD (with success) and the Brabham was sold to Bo-Gilbert Persson in Gothenburg.

[Chris Townsend]

Thanks Hagis for extending that history.
I think that chassis 26 was Palm's main car, but he is noted as using chassis 33 at Chimay. As the Mennen team then has 20 [Petterson 1971 and Blomquist 1972] 26 [Palm] and then 33 is the last the car that is entered for Jorgen Jonsson in 1971/72?

Chris

[Chris Townsend]

There are three Swedish BT35s that we haven't got much idea about yet.
Ulf Svensson [first appears June] to Gunnar Nordstrom 1972 then sold to Italy 1973
Jan Persson [1971-72] sold to Lars Svensson 1973 and retained to 1975
Jonas Qvanström [1971-72 then unknown
Also Conny Andersson has BT35-30 in 1971 but sells this to Italy [Sc. Italia uses it 72-73] However, as his BT38C is late coming in 1972 he rents another BT35. Question is whose?

Chris

[Hagis]

Chris,

I have got through some of my notes about BT 35s.
The Ulf Svensson car (though my "first" for it is at Anderstorp, 9/5/71 with a disappointing 9th place) went on to Gunnar Nordström in 72. However the sale to Italy seems as a mystery as in Swedish press, Bo Hagberg is presented "with Gunnar Nordströms car", and he raced it 1973-74.
Then the Jan Persson - Lars Svensson-connection isn´t as stright and easy as it looks. I had a talk with Jan Persson 8 years ago (How time goes!), and according to my notes he had sponsorship from "GeKås" but the delivery was late so he first raced his BT 35 at the British GP in June -71. Then later he raced a lot in GB. After the 1972 season he quit racing, and Conny Andersson got the "Ge Kås" sponsorship 1973 for his new March. As "Ge Kås" owned the BT 35 they gave it to Conny as part of the sponsorship. Conny then later sold it to Curt Norrman who raced it 1973-1976.
Now, Jan Persson was approached by Lars Svensson who had sponsorship from "Skrea Motel" and asked if Jan couldn´t run a team for him. Now he had no car, but transporter and equipment left, so he bought one of Palms
cars, the ex Stig Blomqvist (#20) car, which then was raced under the "Skrea Motell/J. Persson Racing" banner 1973-75. Then Jan Persson hung up the car on the wall (Yes!) where it was until a collector bought it a decade later.
With Conny Anderssons BT 35 (#30) it seems to be another Italian mystery. In an interview in a Swedish magazine early -72 he says "I still got my BT 35 though with new Nova engine" whith which he won the premiere race at Nürburgring and also at Knutstorp before the new BT 38 arrived at Anderstorp. I have noted Curt Johansson with the BT 35 1973-74. It could be read that he "raced his two years old BT 35" early -73 before the March 733 arrived. Question is if this was #30 or the then just aquired "Ge Kås" BT 35? This with "Italy" still wonders me as I am rather sure that I have seen it (# 30) in a collector´s garage in Malmö.
About the Jonas Qvarnström BT 35, I know no more than it was still in Sweden a year ago, or so, and that it was for sale, though not really advertised.
Sorry, I have no more # than 20, 26 and 30, and don´t know about # 33.

[Chris Townsend]

Hagis

Thanks for this. The Svensson car going to Italy is based on a remark in Autosprint about Francisci using a car that once belonged to Svensson. There are a number of possibilities here, not least that my translation from Italian isn't very good. Another possibility is that it's a BT28 done up to BT35 spec [though I think we can account for both of Svensson's BT28s in 1973]

Chassis 30 is more problematic, as Autosprint actually gives this chassis number for a Sc. Italia car used by Adelmo Bignami/Pier Giorgio Tenani in 1972, and in 1973 reports that Ray Carruthers uses Bignami's old car.
This could be a misprint, though Autosprint seems to have far fewer typographical errors than British magazines of the period. Chassis 50 was [I think] sent to Italy new in late 71/early 72 and I have no record of its appearance. 48 and 49 were in the same batch and both went to Scuderia Italia.

Chris

[pantah]

This hillclimb event happens on Saturday 7th. June 2008, and all being well my BT35 (No47) will be there along with Bronwen Waggitt in the blue BT30 and Jon Waggitt in his (as yet unveiled to the public!) BT18.

We are looking for a couple of you chaps who are in the know about classic-matters, (Mr. Wilkinson please take note!) to write a short article for use in the programme. Keeping the article relavent to classics in hillclimbing would be appropriate. An odd photo or two (with permission to use) would be nice.

As the marketing team are on the worlds tightest budget, all I can offer is a pair of entry tickets in exchange. I am sorry that I am unable to extend this to travel expenses as our Canadian and Antipodean friends might get some big ideas, but any contribution from them would be most interesting and welcome.

email to marketing@harewoodhill.co.uk

Many thanks in anticipation..... Andrew Thorpe

PS - I have not seen your name and the Elan on the entry list yet Steve!

[hughcree]

Hi,

I had BT35-19 during 1973 and 1974. I purchased it from the McCaig's in Nov 1972. I still have one of the original rear wings as well, we had built a new rear wing support to move it back a bit. Does anyone know where this car is to-day?

Hugh Cree
San Diego

[Steve Wilkinson]

This needs amalgamating with the BT35 thread.

[Andrew Fellowes]

Originally Posted by hughcree

Hi,

I had BT35-19 during 1973 and 1974. I purchased it from the McCaig's in Nov 1972. I still have one of the original rear wings as well, we had built a new rear wing support to move it back a bit. Does anyone know where this car is to-day?

Hugh Cree
San Diego

In 2003 it was here, http://www.mathewscollection.com/bra...abham_BT35.htm
Andrew

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by pantah

This hillclimb event happens on Saturday 7th. June 2008, and all being well my BT35 (No47) will be there along with Bronwen Waggitt in the blue BT30 and Jon Waggitt in his (as yet unveiled to the public!) BT18.
Many thanks in anticipation..... Andrew Thorpe

Well what a catalogue of mechanical mayhem - Andrew finally got the BT35 on the hill after a series of gearbox related problems and in the process gave the car its UK competition debut. Jon Waggitt blew the engine in the BT18 testing earlier in the week so switched to a shared drive in wife Bronwen's BT30. The pair set the two Best Times of the Day with John quickest.

Dale Cordingley was going to give Andrew's March 703 a run-out but after problems getting the Holbay screamer started he opted out - although he should be out there today!

The VSCC element was tremendous as were the other historics and it was nice to meet up with Ken MacMaster who was responsible for the Modus hillclimber.