Brabham BT26 auctioned for AU$1.5 million

The third of four BT26 chassis built, the auctioned car started life in 1968 with the Ron Tauranac-designed spaceframe chassis and Australian-developed Repco V8 engine, but poor results with that engine through the ’68 season saw it replaced by a Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 for 1969.

Jacky Ickx was a new recruit to the Brabham F1 team for 1969 and would drive both the third and fourth BT26A chassis built. Chassis #3 was driven by Ickx to third place in the French Grand Prix and second in the Mexican Grand Prix. The chassis’ sole grand prix victory came at the Canadian Grand Prix, where Ickx won comfortably ahead of Brabham and Jochen Rindt, who coincidentally had raced the same car in 1968 during his time with Brabham.

With most F1 teams making the move to stressed monocoque chassis for the 1970 season, BT26A #3 was sold to American Gus Hutchison, who raced it in SCCA competition. The car is believed to have resided in America ever since and came to auction running and ready for historic competition.

Consigned with Bonhams for their Amelia Island auction on 7 March (held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance), the BT26A #3 carried a US$1.1 – 1.4 million pre-auction estimate and, after what was described as enthusiastic bidding between one bidder on the phone and another in the room, sold for US$1.105 million (AU$1.562 million approx.).

Other lots with an Australian connection included a 1923 Bugatti Type 23 Brescia that had been assembled by recognised Australian Bugatti guru, Bob King, in the 1970s from a number of period-correct but mismatched Type 23 Brescia parts. King also had the 3-seater boattail-style body made (by a Melbourne coachbuilder) to suit.

Completed in time for the 1978 Australian Bugatti Rally, the Brescia was rallied extensively by King thereafter before he sold it to the consignor, a fellow Bugatti owner and enthusiast, in 1996.

Regularly campaigned at Bugatti events in the US since then, the Type 23 Brescia came to the auction with a US$400,000 high estimate, but sold for a relatively cheap US$200,000 (AU$282,775 approx.).

The other lot with a local connection was a 1956 Cooper-Climax 1.5 T39 ‘bobtail’ sports car. Originaly imported by Jack Brabham, the car was raced in period by Bill Patterson - to class wins and podiums at state and national level. After passing through several more hands, the T39 ended up in the York Motor Museum collection of Peter Briggs. The consignor purchased the car from Briggs and had it fully restored, after which it was regularly raced in historic competition.

While consigned for the Amelia Island sale and carrying a US$230,000 high estimate, shipping delays meant the T39 failed to reach the US in time, so it was withdrawn from the sale.

The top seller was a 1930 Cadillac V16 with a roadster body by Fleetwood that sold for US$1.187 million (AU$1.678 million approx.). For full results and further details from this auction, go to: bonhams.com.au