primotipo…

This 1967 ‘Life’ magazine was staring at me, waiting for me to pick it up in my favourite ‘bric-a-brac’ store in Chapel Street, Windsor. I  was more than happy to give it a good home. It celebrates Brabham Team achievements in 1967…

Articles on motor racing have never been mainstream in such global publications, of course the article has a lot of general rather than specific enthusiast interest stuff. But i thought the photos worth posting and a little of the contents.

Jack Brabham pondering setup changes. US GP 1967. (Life)

All of these photos were taken during the US Grand Prix weekend, held on 1 October at Watkins Glen.

By that stage of the season the new Lotus 49’s had the consistency as well as the speed they demonstrated from debut at Zandvoort in May, Clark and Hill finished 1/2 at the Glen in the Ford Cosworth DFV engined cars.

Denny Hulme was 4th and Jack 5th. Denny won the ’67 Drivers title and Brabham the Constructors for the second year on the trot.

Those spaceframe BT24’s powered by 3 litre Repco ‘740 Series’ SOHC, between the Vee exhaust V8’s were chuckable, fast, successful cars. Still quick in Jochen Rindt’s hands early in 1968 against even more formidable opposition, despite having only 320bhp or so.

Denny Hulme, Watkins Glen 1967. (Life)

Betty Brabham and Jack. Car is BT24 Repco. Watkins Glen, US GP 1967. (Life)

‘Life’ credit ‘The pre-eminence of Australia and New Zealand in automobile racing to Brabham…He is responsible not only for the Brabham Racing Organisation (the F1 team), but also for Motor Racing Developments Ltd, which constructs the Brabham designed cars (Ron Tauranac may have a view on that!) ; Jack Brabham conversions Ltd which produces go-faster kits and treatments; and Jack Brabham Motors Ltd, a garage and car dealership’.

Jack was a busy boy indeed! I think at that stage he was still ‘ghosting’ a magazine column or two as well in addition to managing the relationship with engine partner Repco.

Bruce McLaren in his McLaren M5A BRM, US GP 1967. DNF with water hose failure. With Cosworth power from 1968 his GP cars found success. (Life)

‘It isn’t only Jack Brabham and Denis Hulme who bring glory to their part of the world…Contributing to the lustre are Bruce McLaren, 30, as well known as a manufacturer of racing cars as a driver, and Chris Amon, 25, who was in fourth place in the World Championship standings going into the final race (the Mexican GP)…McLaren has won 3 GP’s during his career. Amon…still seeks his first victory which could come at any time’.

Chris Amon, Ferrari 312. Watkins Glen 1967. DNF in the race with engine failure. (Life)

Jack Brabham; post race, happy mode in the Brabham pit. Looks like an apple in hand! Watkins Glen 1967. (Life)

Credit…Life Magazine 30 October 1967