Final Sir Jack Brabham GP winner sold for $1.1m

The car which supplied Sir Jack Brabham with his final grand prix victory has been sold by auction house Bonhams for $1.1 million.

Lot 257, the BT33 powered by a DFV Ford Cosworth V8, took four podiums in 1970 including the South African GP victory at Kyalami in what was Brabham’s retirement year from Formula 1.

The same car saw the three times world champion lead Jochen Rindt’s Lotus until the last lap at Monaco before sliding off into the barriers at the hairpin.

Famed Brabham designer Ron Tauranac had a penchant for spaceframe chassis due to their lightweight, tune-ability and ease-of-repair nature.

The first departure away from this was the BT25 of 1968-1969 which was a semi-monocoque designed Indy car.

The BT33 stands as Brabham’s first full monocoque Formula 1 designed machine.

Brabham, who became world champion in 1959, 1960 and 1966 (in a car of his own design) died peacefully at his Gold Coast home on May 19.

Meanwhile Sir Jack’s youngest son David Brabham will be involved in commemorations to mark his father’s fabulous life at the Historic Grand Prix at Zandvoort from August 29-31.

Two of his 14 grand prix victories were claimed at Zandvoort in 1960 and 1966, the latter shortly after his 40th birthday when he cheekily donned a false beard and leant on a walking stick in a shot at critics who said he was too old.

BT33