Brabham Automotive, a niche car company based in Australia and famous for its BT62 supercar, has announced its impending closure. That said, the history of the Brabham brand seems to be far from over.
David Brabham, son of triple Formula 1 champion Jack Brabham whose racing career dated back to the 1950s and ‘60s, founded the company in 2018 with financial backing from Fusion Capital. He has now taken to his social media to say the business is shutting down after six years, Motor1 reports.
The automaker’s first production vehicle was the BT62, a purely track-focused, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive supercar worth £1,000,000 (U.S. $1,270,000). Weighing in at a low 972 kilograms (2,143 pounds), it generated 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs) of downforce from its sophisticated aerodynamic kit.
A 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 sends 710 PS (700 hp / 524 kW) and 667 Nm (492 lb-ft) to the wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.
The company’s original plans envisioned making 70 such supercars. The first half of the batch was to be finished in the same colors as the late Jack Brabham’s F1 racecars. Just how many examples had been assembled and delivered to owners before the UK-based Brabham Group Limited decided to break ties with Fusion Capital is unknown.
In 2020, the company announced the BT62R – a road-going alternative to the track-only BT62 (see video). That car was expected to arrive with a less loud exhaust system, adaptive suspension, air conditioning, windshield heating and other comfort-oriented features.
Brabham points out that his family still retains the necessary trademark rights and is already looking into opening a new business in the automotive and motorsports industry.
