BRABHAM BT16 CLIMAX -Ex John Coombes Racing, Graham Hill F2, Frank Gardiner Tasman Series, 3rd at 1967 AGP - Lot 39 The Historic Racing Car & Motorcycle Auction - Sunday, July 21st 2019 - Sunday, July 28th 2019 PRICE: Auction Estimate: (AUD): $280,000 - $320,000 Chassis: F2-8-65 This Brabham BT16 left the Motor Racing Developments Surrey factory after being purchased by John Coombs Racing to run in F2 with their gun driver, and future Formula One World Champion Graham Hill. Hill raced the car in 1965 and 1966 with success and which often saw tight tussles with Jim Clark for honours. At the end of 1966 the car was returned to the factory where Frank Gardner from the Australian Alec Mildren team worked with the factory to modify the car to take a larger engine. The engine chosen was the ever-popular Coventry Climax 2.5 litre FPF which was mated to a Hewland HD5 gearbox. The uprights were enlarged, air vents were added to the body and the car was painted from “Coombes Grey” to “Mildren Yellow”. The updated car arrived in Australia in November 1966 and was entered to race in the Horden Trophy at Warwick Farm, which it won. Frank Gardner raced the car throughout the 1967 Tasman Series where he finished in third place in a tie Jack Brabham, with Jackie Stewart in second and Jim Clark taking honours. The best result of the 1967 season was a third at the Australian Grand Prix at Warwick Park, where Frank was the first Australian across the line after overtaking Jack Brabham.
