primotipo…

Frank Gardner, Brabham BT5 Lotus-Ford, during the Times Grand Prix at Riverside on September 30, 1963.

Ron Tauranac’s two Brabham BT5 Lotus-Ford twin-cams were built in 1963. The Ian Walker Racing car, chassis SC-1-63, achieved plenty of success in the hands of both Frank Gardner and Paul Hawkins.

The car used a typical Tauranac multi-tubular spaceframe chassis with upper and lower wishbones at the front and lower links, an inverted top wishbone and two radius rods- coil spring/shocks front and rear. Rack and pinion steering, disc brakes all around, a Hewland 4-speed gearbox and a Cosworth-tuned Lotus-Ford Twin-Cam of 1596cc giving circa 140 bhp completed the package.

The photograph below is a BT5 test session at Goodwood early in 1963 with the Aussies out in force, oh, and a Kiwi.

From left in the nice, warm ‘jumper’ are Paul Hawkins, lanky Frank Gardner, the Guvnor and Denny Hulme. All rather handy at the wheel of a motorcar, and on the end of a ‘spanner’.

Credits…

Bob D’Olivo, Gordon Bruce, frankgardnermotorsport.com

Tailpiece…

Gardner, BT5 Ford, Mallory Park.

Finito…