This 1966 Brabham BT18 is one of approximately 46 examples built for formula racing competition and is said to have been purchased out of Southern California in 1999 by a vintage racing shop owner, who commissioned a refurbishment that was completed in the early 2000s. It would then compete over the ensuing two decades in California vintage racing events, and was acquired by the current owner in 2024. Power is provided by a 1.6-liter Ford-Cosworth DOHC inline-four that was overhauled by Hasselgren Engineering before being installed in 2014. Finished in red with a gold-color dorsal stripe, the car also features a Taylor Engineering-built Hewland-style five-speed manual transaxle, independent suspension with coilover shock absorbers, four-wheel disc brakes with dual master cylinders, staggered-width 13” wheels, a single seat trimmed in black vinyl upholstery, and a four-point harness. This BT18 is now offered by the seller in Arizona on behalf of its owner with a CSRG logbook, invoices from the engine build, and a bill of sale.
Established by Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac in the early 1960s, Motor Racing Developments Ltd. served as the era’s largest manufacturer of open-wheel racers, and in 1966 began offering the BT18 in configurations suitable for Formulae 2, 3, or Libre. This example’s origins and racing history before its early 2000s refurbishment are unknown, and it is not marked with a Brabham chassis number, although Arch Motors frame number AM116 is stamped on the left rear shock support.
The bodywork is finished in red with a gold-color dorsal stripe and number-93 roundels. Features include a vent atop the nose panel, a wraparound windscreen, dual bullet-style side mirrors, and a Repco nose badge.
The 13″ four-spoke alloy wheels are wrapped in Avon tires measuring 8.2/22.0 up front and 10.5/23.0 at the rear. Stopping is handled by four-wheel disc brakes with dual master cylinders.
The cockpit houses a single seat upholstered in black vinyl. Additional equipment includes a roll hoop, a right-hand shifter, a Willans four-point harness, a fire suppression system, and an electrical cut-off switch.
The three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation including a 10k-rpm tachometer flanked by gauges monitoring oil temperature, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The car is not equipped with an odometer, while a Hobbs meter situated under the front bodywork shows 477 hours of running time.
The 1.6-liter Ford-Cosworth inline-four was rebuilt by Hasselgren Engineering in 2014 and features dual overhead camshafts, twin Weber 45 DCOE carburetors, and a four-into-one exhaust header. The car is said to have been most recently serviced one year ago.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Hewland-style five-speed manual transaxle that is said to have been built by Taylor Engineering in 2002. Rose-jointed suspension comprises double wishbones up front and a rear arrangement with reverse lower wishbones, single upper links, and dual radius rods. Adjustable coilover shock absorbers and anti-roll bars are utilized front and rear. Areas of wear are viewable on the underside body panels.
Arch Motors frame number AM116 is shown above stamped beneath the paint on the left rear shock support.
