WSC60 Brabham BT8 - Climax FPF

3d conversion by: MacedoSTI
skins by Sengue, Silent_gxg and Pasta

After constructing Formula Junior and Formula 1 cars, Brabham tentatively branched out to building sports cars in 1963.

By the mid 60's, a push to innovate among race car constructors was rapidly consigning front-engine cars to history. In their place, smaller, more nimble racers with more technically sophisticated, mid-mounted engines were taking to the field to demonstrate what could be achieved with precision fabricating, clever engineering, and improved aerodynamics.

The Brabham BT8 was based on the two-seat BT5 that, in turn, was based on the firm’s successful Formula Junior one-seater. Embodying technologies perfected in competition against the successful Lotus 23, it employed a beautifully finished multi-tube, space-frame chassis with a 14.5-gallon fuel tank installed on each side for even weight distribution and more predictable handling.

Launched at the London Racing Car Show in January of 1964, the BT8 proved very popular and between 1964 and 1966 a total of 12 cars were built. Thanks to the larger and more powerful engine, very strong chassis and slippery lines, the BT8 quickly became the car to beat. Denny Hulme scored the car's greatest victory by beating a field of much larger engined Lola T70s, Lotus 30s and McLaren M1s to win the 1965 Tourist Trophy at Oulton Park outright.

To accommodate for larger engines, Brabham designer Ron Tauranac created the sturdier BT8 for the 1964 season. The official designation was actually BT8A, as halfway through the development process further design changes were made to warrant a new type name but as no BT8s were built, the BT8A never stuck. There were several engine choices available, including 2.0-, 2.5-, and 2.7-liter twin-cam versions from Coventry Climax, the last of which generated an exceptional 250 horsepower. A 240-horsepower BRM (British Racing Motors) V-8 could also be specified.