1966 Brabham BT21 question.

I've stumbled across a 1966 Brabham BT21 with a Cosworth MAE and a Hewland MK5. 8x13 and 10 x13 Brabham mag wheels. originally raced SCCA Formula C. Last raced in 1978. 2 owner with full documentation, never wrecked, 100 % complete. It's been sitting in a heated warehouse since it's last race. Body looks perfect except for the wind screen being painted black to match body color. Some additional gear sets. Now the bad. Paint badly peeling on the frame, all suspension needs replating, Wheels look very scruffy and need serious attention. Roll hoop is original height and possibly needs to be heightened. Would look nicer with a engine cover. And then there's everything else that will need attention. Asking price is mid 20's. My question is, is it worth the investment and cost to restore this Brabham ? And if so, should it be back with it's original MAE or change it to a Twincam ? Your thoughts ? Thanks Tom

I think you’d easily spend the asking price again on restoring it. I’d replace all the suspension regardless. Crack check wheels and uprights too. Maybe even invest in new replica wheels and keep the originals for show. Is it worth it? I’d say it is. The BT21 is not a rare car but worth keeping as original as possible. I wouldn’t even contemplate a twin cam either. Keep it original with the cool little MAE. Expect to spend an awful lot on the motor if you want it competitive.

Hi Tom,

I'm late to see your post but if you have decided to move ahead with the BT21 let me know if you need any help. I just went through most of what you'll encounter with my BT16. Most of the sources are still (somewhat) fresh in my mind. Also, I think restoration would cost several times? the asking price. Still a great car.

I sent you a pm with a bit more info.

Steve

I'd leave it with the MAE. With the newer technologies it should be a reasonably reliable package and with the 100 or so lbs of torque developed it can't break anything. Probably is a single Weber with one barrel blanked off and not the two carb units which were a bitch to tune and may have the head that had intake ports epoxied in to make it sort of a crossflow head. Holbay, Lucas, etc, normal F3 kit. They sound great and are just fast enough to have fun in. Pretty similar in times to an early FF.

I wasn't familiar with the BT21 with MAE, so I Googled. There are some pretty cool, funky intakes.

http://www.f3historic.com/uploads/ad+1938.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3935/1...dc0f1ebc_b.jpg

The intake on the #13 car ended up being the FIA approved one for F3 in that era. The neatest car for F3 was the BT28 with the Chevron B15 as well. These little pushrod motors turned 9500 rpm with 3 main bearings for less friction which is why they had lots of mechanical issues. I had a Holbay motor inclined 30 degrees with two Webers on it and of course point and condenser ignition which was hard to keep working at that rpm. Most had Hewland Mk 6 or 8 gearboxes. The Mk 5 gearbox was used with the Twin Cam motors as it was stronger. My early Brabham had a 6 speed. They weighed in at 880 lbs.

Just curious. I might be very familiar. Pearce