British company will build thee continuation cars of the great BRM Type 15
British specialist Hall and Hall will build three new examples of the iconic 1950 BRM Type 15 V16 F1 racer. The replicas will be built to the exact specification of the original cars. Only one Type 15 survives. Hall & Hall engineers will work from around 20,000 original drawings, including 5000 blueprints.
AMONG THE BEST SOUNDING RACE CARS EVER
The twin highlights of the project are unique. Type 15s powered by exact replicas of the screaming original 591bhp 12,000rpm supercharged 1.5-litre V16 engine. Although it was never a success on track, the Type 15’s soundtrack was legendary.
The complex light alloy sixteen-cylinder has a 135 degree bank angle and dry sump lubrication is more complicated. In principle, it comprises a pair of V8s merged back-to-back and a two-part, ten-fold crankshaft. Two large carburettors feed the centrifugal supercharger swiped off the Spitfire fighter airplane’s Rolls-Royce Merlin V12.
The three Type 15 continuations each use original chassis numbers set aside in 1950. They were never built due to a change in F1 technical regulations. The cars will get a replica BRM five-speed gearbox and rear wheel drivetrain.
The 736.6kg Type 15s will also get an authentic steel box-section ladder chassis. Suspension will be original trailing arm front and de Dion tube rear with period Dunlop Racing tyres. The continuation cars will be most faithful to the original Type 15 thanks to to those unusually comprehensive blueprints. “There will be no modern interpretation — the continuation cars will be exactly as Type 15 was”.
ONLY TWO TYPE 15S UP FOR GRABS
The first continuation Type 15 has been allocated to the son of late BRM team principal, Sir Alfred Owen, John. “Watching the likes of Fangio and Gonzalez master the power of the V16 was very special”, said Owen recalls. The splendid sound of the engine still rings clear in my ears 70 years on!
Hall & Hall is inviting applications from buyers who must regularly drive the remaining two cars. “Ownership and allocation of the the company concluded. Only wealthiest buyers need apply.
