Lot 186 - 1972 Brabham BT38

• Period livery
• Ready to race
• Valid HTP papers until 2030

The 1972 F2 Brabham BT38 was based on the 1971 BT36 but was a monocoque instead of a spaceframe. MRD records state 16 were built, but there is evidence of 19 or 20 cars being raced.

The Brabham BT38 was MRD's first production monocoque, but despite suggestions that a monocoque was Bernie Ecclestone's idea, work started on the BT38 in February 1971, six months before Bernie Ecclestone acquired MRD. The car was designed by Geoff Ferris, who had worked on the Lotus 72 and the March 711, with Ron Tauranac in overall control. It used a simple square section bathtub monocoque which finished just behind the driver, with the engine and gearbox mounted in a tubular sub assembly. Suspension followed traditional Brabham lines, with outboard springs and double wishbones at the front; single reversed A-bracket, top link and radius arms at the rear. Radiators were either side of the driver, with a flat nose and side wings. Brabham's design team at the time also included Ralph Bellamy, aerodynamicist Ray Jessop and a young lad called Gordon Murray.

The three models were BT38 for Formula 2, BT38B for Formula B, and BT38C for Formula 3. The square section aluminium bathtub monocoque was common to the three models, but the F2 BT38 and F3 BT38C had 16 gauge outer skins, while the FB BT38B used 18 gauge. The F2 BT38 was equipped with a Hewland FT200 gearbox (like the BT38B but different to the Hewland Mk. 8 in the BT38C) and had two side radiators (also like the BT38B, and unlike the BT38C that had only one). The F2 had two 10½-gallon tanks (the BT38B had two 8-gallon tanks, and the BT38C had two 5½-gallon tanks).

This “on the button” example from the iconic Brabham factory has a BDG 2.0 litre installed and comes with a good spares package. It also has a current HTP valid until 31/12/2030, a fuel tank certification which is valid until April 2026 and its seat belts are valid until 2024. The fire extinguisher system is valid until May 2023 and the Hewland FT200 Gearbox was serviced by Racing Transmission Service in 2019. The car is presented in period livery and has been successfully raced by Michael and Andrew Hibbert in the HSCC Historic F2 series and the Aurora Trophy series; it also has the original and correct fuel injection system.

This lovely Brabham car comes with a spares package which includes sets of slick and wet wheels, some spare bodywork including nose cone, spare original radiator to name a few. A great opportunity to acquire one of motor racing’s most iconic single seaters bearing the famous Brabham name and with a successful race history.