Is there a Brabham‑badged supercar on the way?

Race car? Hypercar? Track-day car? No one is letting on, saying just that it is neither concept nor styling exercise, and that it is “nearing the end of an intensive testing process”. 

The man with the dream to make a modern-era car bearing the name of his triple World Champion-winning father is, of course, David Brabham, Le Mans winner, Bentley Boy, sportscar specialist, Goodwood regular – and these days managing director of Brabham Automotive. 

“I am thrilled to announce Brabham BT62 as the name of our first project. To see the first Brabham in 26 years wear the iconic BT designation will be a huge moment in our history,” he says.

Yes, David but what is it? He’s not saying, though there is a clue in the sound clip of an engine idling.

The company maintains ”the latent potential of the Brabham BT62’s engine note hints at a car that is inspired by Brabham’s historic racing pedigree and uncompromising and fearless determination to succeed.” Maybe so, but while the exhaust note sounds fruity it still doesn’t tell us much about the actual car. 

When Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac designed and built their first race car together in 1961, the BT designation (after their surnames) was begun. Since then all 700 or so Brabham competition cars (in Formula 1, F2, Formula Junior, Formula B, Formula Atlantic, Indianapolis 500, hillclimb and sportscar racing) have been given the BT prefix in honour of the team’s founders.

More teasers are promised ahead of May 2^nd, the date chosen for marking the 70th anniversary of Sir Jack Brabham making his competition debut in Australia. 

Highlights from 70 years of BTs

BT1, a Formula Junior model in 1961.

BT3, Brabham’s first Formula 1 car makes its debut at the 1962 German Grand Prix. 

BT7, Dan Gurney gives the Brabham team its first Formula 1 race win at Rouen-les-Essarts in 1964.

BT8A, the sportscar that, driven by Denny Hulme, beats Lola T70s, Lotus 30s and McLaren M1s to win the 1965 Tourist Trophy at Oulton Park.

BT18 Honda, piloted by Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme, it dominates the 1966 Formula 2 Championship, winning 11 out of 12 races.

BT19 makes history in becoming the first car bearing its driver's name to win a World Championship.

BT46B, one of the most controversial F1 cars of all time, the radical ground-hugging ‘fan car’ wins its first and only outing at the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix, piloted by Niki Lauda.

BT52, the first turbocharged car to win a Formula 1 World Championship in 1983.