Pete05
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- 7,100
- Melbourne, Australia
Encouraged by their first win, BRM quickly developed a mid-engined version of the Type 25, using many existing parts from the disassembled 25s. Other than the location of the engine and the driver, the specifications of the Type 25 and P48 were virtually identical. Surprisingly the rear brake layout was also retained.
The hastily thrown together P48s debuted late in 1959, but in BRM fashion failed to impress. There were some revisions for 1960 and low and behold the single disc brake was replaced by two regular disc brakes in the last races of the season. That season the P48s managed to record just four finishes and BRM dropped from third to fourth in the Constructor's Championship. This was the final year for the four cylinder BRM as the rules were changed dramatically for 1961, with a displacement limit of just 1.5 litres. This meant all teams were forced to start from scratch and this time the BRM design team, now lead by Tony Rudd, finally made the right choices and in 1962 the V8 engined P57 reigned supreme in the hands of Graham Hill.
The car pictured is one of the seven P48s constructed with the 'bacon-slicer' single rear brake. This particular car was driven to fourth position in the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix by Graham Hill. Fitting that the car be captured at the same track during the 2006 Monaco Historic Grand Prix.
ENGINE
Configuration
Straight 4
Location
Mid, longitudinally mounted
Displacement
2491 cc / 152 cu in
Bore / Stroke
102.9 mm (4.1") x 74.9 mm (2.9")
Valvetrain
2 valves per cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed
2 x Weber carburettors
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated
Power
275 bhp / 205 kW @ 8000 rpm
Torque
278 Nm / 205 ft lbs
DRIVETRAIN
Chassis
Aluminium body on a steel spaceframe
Front suspension
Double wishbones, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension
Wishbones, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar
Steering
Rack and pinion
Brakes
Front discs, single disc on the gearbox
Gearbox
4 speed manual
DIMENSIONS
Weight
500 kg / 1102.3 lbs
Wheelbase
2286 mm / 90"
http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/con-brm.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Racing_Motors
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