David Brabham's eponymous BT59 F1 car goes up for sale

August 17th 2022

The Brabham BT59, one of the early '90s best-looking F1 cars, is restored, ready to run and up for sale now

Girardo

The late ’80s and early ’90s Formula 1 era produced some of the most beautiful grand prix cars ever seen, in an age when form really did match function.

The sharp end featured such handsome machines as the McLaren MP4/5B, the Williams FW14B and Benetton B194, but there were good looking cars all the way through the grid.

The Brabham BT59, a chassis of which is now up for sale with Girardo & Co, is one of the best examples of this.

The car holds extra provenance in being the final of the legendary team’s machines to be driven by a family member – David Brabham, the son three-time world champion and team founder Jack.

1990 Brabham BT59 C — This BT59 has been painstakingly restored and is ready for historic events

Girardo

David joined the team in 1990, making his F1 debut for a squad – then owned by David Nursey’s Middlebridge organisation – which hoped continuing the famous racing lineage would attract sponsorship.

The tool he was given for the job was the strikingly minimalist BT59, designed by Sergio Rinland, powered by a 3.5-litre V8 Judd engine.

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Unfortunately the season was a struggle with the Australian retiring on seven occasions, ‘DNQing’ six times and managing just one finish – 15th at Paul Ricard. His team-mate Stefano Modena faired slightly better, with a best finish of seventh in Canada.

This particular chassis, No 59-5, was driven by David in the last four races of the season, before being fitted with a Yamaha engine for the first two rounds of ’91.

David’s replacement, Martin Brundle drove it to 11th and 12th in the first two races of that season, before the team switched to its BT60Y car.

Despite the lack of results, the BT59 still stands out as one of the most elegant cars produced in that era.

1990 Brabham BT59 B — Brabham racing the car in 1990

Girardo

Painstakingly restored by former F1 engineer Steve Costello, in consultation with Rinland, the car is now ready to run as pliable track day and historic event racer.

Price and other enquiries in relation to the car can be made at Girardo & Co here.