Brabham Herald with a Climax Engine
Discussion
pablo said:
There was a Brabham edition Vauxhall Viva at the Donington Historic parked on the infield, no help to you I know but it was a cool car.
I think the Brabham Viva was a bit of a factory special, tuned standard engine and stripes, not a particularly successful one, only lasting a year.The Brabham Herald involved replacing the engine, so a different concept. No factory support, I think. The Vitesse with its 6 pot 1600/2000 engine kind of made the Brabham pointless.
I remember the Brabham Heralds - an Imp mad mate collected everything to do with the Coventry Climax engine, for some years he wanted to buy a Climax brochure I've had (still got somewhere, but can't find it at the mo - I'd never and still haven't seen another one of these brochures to this day, think I'd better find it, might be worth a few pints now!).
He had a couple of the models (toys) of them (wasn't Corgi or anything like that, some Dutch company but I forget the name) - think there were a dozen Brabham Heralds built in the 60s.
Pic of one of the models towing the famous ol' fire pump engine.
He had a couple of the models (toys) of them (wasn't Corgi or anything like that, some Dutch company but I forget the name) - think there were a dozen Brabham Heralds built in the 60s.
Pic of one of the models towing the famous ol' fire pump engine.
I vaguely remember an article in the "Turning Circle" magazine of the Triumph Sports Six Club about the Climax engined Heralds. 'Twas probably forty years back when I was dropping Spitty, Vitesse and TR6 lumps in similar cars. All I really recall is that they were based on the early models (948s or 1200s), and, as such, offered a noticeable increase in performance. Later cars were probably just as quick with a few spitfire type goodies...
Chris Longhurst, on the TSSC message board, has provided an edited Google translate from Dutch of an article by Max Derrez, whose company makes 'dinky' models:
The Brabham Heralds by Max Derrez
(Google translate from the Dutch + CL amendments)
‘For a long time I had the idea of making the Brabham Heralds in miniature. When the Oxford model brand came out with a Coventry Climax pump trailer, the decision was quickly made. This fire engine looks good with this special model.
In the Triumph Tribunes Nos. 181 and 183 Eric Denzler described the Brabham Herald.
In short: Jack Brabham, from Australia, in addition to racing in the fifties and sixties
He was also busy tuning production cars. He modified the Hillman Imp, the Vauxhall Viva, Cortina MKI but also the Herald. The Herald was fitted with a Coventry
Climax engine, which was actually the engine of a firefighter sprayer. It was discovered
that this engine was extremely suitable for tuning purposes, so the machine could start from a cold start at 5000 rpm.
To be able to make the models, the correct documentation is of course essential. And thus
immediately there was a problem: which ones were modified by Jack Brabham, which interior and exterior colors were used and what were the modifications to a standard Herald. All but one photo were in black and white, so the colors were an issue anyway. With the help of several people, especially Chris Longhurst of the TSSC, most Brabham Heralds the colors, finishes and badges were found – and dated, and that was quite a job.
Eventually a list of the updated Brabham Heralds was created and is as follows, named per registration number.
55 RPE The first Brabham Herald, 1960, 948 coupe body (with ribbed roof). Colour - Coffee and white, this car belonged to Jack Brabham. This Brabham is described in Autocar from September 23, 1960 and Autosport from 23 September 1960. The model was shown at the Earl's Court Motor Racing Show in January 1961. (CL - A colour picture of this car exists with Jack Brabham standing by it - http://www.triumph-herald.com/55rpe.htm )
.
6267 PG Probably a 1960/61 coupé. Original color unknown, now probably white and it may be that this Herald has now being restored.
2220 MW Probably a saloon, 1962. White. An original Brabham conversion only
later adapted for rally cross and driven by Burt Hopkins. Described in Car and Car Conversions from September 1968.
190 WPA Saloon, 1962, probably red and white. Featured in Motor Racing from January 1962 and in Sports Car Graphic from March 1962.
188 XPF Saloon, 1962. First green, then Pale Blue with white, now Rolls Royce Bordeaux
Red with a black vinyl roof. Located in the USA and was listed for $20,000 - Described in Classic Cars in May 1996.
3481 WD Estate, probably 1962. Lichfield green or Cherry Red. Used by Autocar in 1964 and 1965. Described in Autocar January 24, 1964.
6665 PJ Saloon, 1962. Lichfield green with red interior. One of the owners was
Peter Ecury in Holland). Moved to England and the engine was removed for another project. If this isn't sacrilege...
VRC 330 Unknown type. The car was registered in Derby. Owner Mr. J.B.Smith.
53 RPE Rebuilt coupé. Engine entirely according to Brabham specifications, so with Coventry Climax engine. Toyota gearbox and completely revised rear suspension. Sprayed
in Sapphire Blue with Ford Silver Fox in a spray pattern similar to the Michelotti Herald prototype scheme - described in Triumph World issue 56.
Without the "rebuilt coupe" this list therefore contains 8 models. There seem about 11
Brabham Heralds, but the scholars are not entirely in agreement. It was a very expensive car, much more expensive than a standard Herald, and that will be the reason so few are made.
For the miniatures I initially chose the 55 RPE coupe, the 6665 PJ saloon and the 53
RPE coupe to make as 1/43rd scale models. Other versions can of course follow. The Coventry Climax fire engine from Oxford can be hung behind the model. See the pictures and more information on my website: www.derrezmodels.nl (note from CL – website no longer operative)’
The Brabham Heralds by Max Derrez
(Google translate from the Dutch + CL amendments)
‘For a long time I had the idea of making the Brabham Heralds in miniature. When the Oxford model brand came out with a Coventry Climax pump trailer, the decision was quickly made. This fire engine looks good with this special model.
In the Triumph Tribunes Nos. 181 and 183 Eric Denzler described the Brabham Herald.
In short: Jack Brabham, from Australia, in addition to racing in the fifties and sixties
He was also busy tuning production cars. He modified the Hillman Imp, the Vauxhall Viva, Cortina MKI but also the Herald. The Herald was fitted with a Coventry
Climax engine, which was actually the engine of a firefighter sprayer. It was discovered
that this engine was extremely suitable for tuning purposes, so the machine could start from a cold start at 5000 rpm.
To be able to make the models, the correct documentation is of course essential. And thus
immediately there was a problem: which ones were modified by Jack Brabham, which interior and exterior colors were used and what were the modifications to a standard Herald. All but one photo were in black and white, so the colors were an issue anyway. With the help of several people, especially Chris Longhurst of the TSSC, most Brabham Heralds the colors, finishes and badges were found – and dated, and that was quite a job.
Eventually a list of the updated Brabham Heralds was created and is as follows, named per registration number.
55 RPE The first Brabham Herald, 1960, 948 coupe body (with ribbed roof). Colour - Coffee and white, this car belonged to Jack Brabham. This Brabham is described in Autocar from September 23, 1960 and Autosport from 23 September 1960. The model was shown at the Earl's Court Motor Racing Show in January 1961. (CL - A colour picture of this car exists with Jack Brabham standing by it - http://www.triumph-herald.com/55rpe.htm )
.
6267 PG Probably a 1960/61 coupé. Original color unknown, now probably white and it may be that this Herald has now being restored.
2220 MW Probably a saloon, 1962. White. An original Brabham conversion only
later adapted for rally cross and driven by Burt Hopkins. Described in Car and Car Conversions from September 1968.
190 WPA Saloon, 1962, probably red and white. Featured in Motor Racing from January 1962 and in Sports Car Graphic from March 1962.
188 XPF Saloon, 1962. First green, then Pale Blue with white, now Rolls Royce Bordeaux
Red with a black vinyl roof. Located in the USA and was listed for $20,000 - Described in Classic Cars in May 1996.
3481 WD Estate, probably 1962. Lichfield green or Cherry Red. Used by Autocar in 1964 and 1965. Described in Autocar January 24, 1964.
6665 PJ Saloon, 1962. Lichfield green with red interior. One of the owners was
Peter Ecury in Holland). Moved to England and the engine was removed for another project. If this isn't sacrilege...
VRC 330 Unknown type. The car was registered in Derby. Owner Mr. J.B.Smith.
53 RPE Rebuilt coupé. Engine entirely according to Brabham specifications, so with Coventry Climax engine. Toyota gearbox and completely revised rear suspension. Sprayed
in Sapphire Blue with Ford Silver Fox in a spray pattern similar to the Michelotti Herald prototype scheme - described in Triumph World issue 56.
Without the "rebuilt coupe" this list therefore contains 8 models. There seem about 11
Brabham Heralds, but the scholars are not entirely in agreement. It was a very expensive car, much more expensive than a standard Herald, and that will be the reason so few are made.
For the miniatures I initially chose the 55 RPE coupe, the 6665 PJ saloon and the 53
RPE coupe to make as 1/43rd scale models. Other versions can of course follow. The Coventry Climax fire engine from Oxford can be hung behind the model. See the pictures and more information on my website: www.derrezmodels.nl (note from CL – website no longer operative)’
Plus, Dick Twitchen has supplied:
Three copies of The Courier have articles on the Brabham Herald. The author, Adam Egland-Jensen, is a specialist Navigating Officer and Naval compatriot of long standing. To save you looking, the links.
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/302 - August 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/303 - September 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/304 - October 2005.pdf
My thanks to Chris and Dick and to the OP, suggest you go to the marque message boards for such specialised information!
John
Three copies of The Courier have articles on the Brabham Herald. The author, Adam Egland-Jensen, is a specialist Navigating Officer and Naval compatriot of long standing. To save you looking, the links.
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/302 - August 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/303 - September 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/304 - October 2005.pdf
My thanks to Chris and Dick and to the OP, suggest you go to the marque message boards for such specialised information!
John
eldar said:
I think the Brabham Viva was a bit of a factory special, tuned standard engine and stripes, not a particularly successful one, only lasting a year.
The Brabham Herald involved replacing the engine, so a different concept. No factory support, I think. The Vitesse with its 6 pot 1600/2000 engine kind of made the Brabham pointless.
The Vitesse did not make the Brabham conversion redundant from a performance perspective, it was more the high cost of the conversion, almost doubling the cost of Herald, but in fact having the power without the increased weight, and forward weight at that, was of real benefit to handling.The Brabham Herald involved replacing the engine, so a different concept. No factory support, I think. The Vitesse with its 6 pot 1600/2000 engine kind of made the Brabham pointless.
tapkaJohnD said:
Plus, Dick Twitchen has supplied:
Three copies of The Courier have articles on the Brabham Herald. The author, Adam Egland-Jensen, is a specialist Navigating Officer and Naval compatriot of long standing. To save you looking, the links.
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/302 - August 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/303 - September 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/304 - October 2005.pdf
My thanks to Chris and Dick and to the OP, suggest you go to the marque message boards for such specialised information!
John
Links don't work.Three copies of The Courier have articles on the Brabham Herald. The author, Adam Egland-Jensen, is a specialist Navigating Officer and Naval compatriot of long standing. To save you looking, the links.
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/302 - August 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/303 - September 2005.pdf
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/304 - October 2005.pdf
My thanks to Chris and Dick and to the OP, suggest you go to the marque message boards for such specialised information!
John
Thanks to everyone. I was researching Fairthorpe Electrons with the Climax engine attached to a Triumph gearbox and stumbled across the Brabhams by accident. The estate would have been an interesting "Q" car. I guess the Climax being alloy was lighter than even the four pot Triumph engine.
finnadam said:
The Vitesse did not make the Brabham conversion redundant from a performance perspective, it was more the high cost of the conversion, almost doubling the cost of Herald, but in fact having the power without the increased weight, and forward weight at that, was of real benefit to handling.
I had a 62 Herald 1200 and fitted the engine & gearbox from a 67 Corolla. The significant weight loss made the handling much nicer, and the (tuned) engine made it a lot quickerThe only real problem was the ridiculously tall hearing for a high-revving engine.
Did the Climax Heralds get a different differential?
AW111 said:
finnadam said:
The Vitesse did not make the Brabham conversion redundant from a performance perspective, it was more the high cost of the conversion, almost doubling the cost of Herald, but in fact having the power without the increased weight, and forward weight at that, was of real benefit to handling.
I had a 62 Herald 1200 and fitted the engine & gearbox from a 67 Corolla. The significant weight loss made the handling much nicer, and the (tuned) engine made it a lot quickerThe only real problem was the ridiculously tall hearing for a high-revving engine.
Did the Climax Heralds get a different differential?
finnadam said:
I have been collating information about Brabham Heralds since the mid 80s as my Father had seen 55RPE on show at Earls Court in 1960. Thus from 1984 I conceived the idea of finding or recreating a conversion. This I did from the early 90s for my Father to see, eventually finishing my replica (with improvements) in 2002. This I was able to reregister as 53RPE. In 1996 188XPF had been featured in Classic Car (May 96) but before I could view it had been sold on the a collector in the USA.
When Max Derrez was seeking information to make some models I provided him with the list of cars repeated in the post above. Since then another has been identified.
I also have an FWE engine from one of the original conversions. Perhaps will carry out another conversion.
Finn Adam Egeland-Jensen
When Max Derrez was seeking information to make some models I provided him with the list of cars repeated in the post above. Since then another has been identified.
I also have an FWE engine from one of the original conversions. Perhaps will carry out another conversion.
Finn Adam Egeland-Jensen
Edited by finnadam on Sunday 5th June 12:49
tapkaJohnD said:
Chris Longhurst, on the TSSC message board, has provided an edited Google translate from Dutch of an article by Max Derrez, whose company makes 'dinky' models:
The Brabham Heralds by Max Derrez
(Google translate from the Dutch + CL amendments)
snip rest of quote
The Brabham Heralds by Max Derrez
(Google translate from the Dutch + CL amendments)
snip rest of quote
Thanks for that, as I put in my post I couldn't remember the model maker's name (not surprisingly) but that's it: Derrez.
matchmaker said:
Links don't work.
This website malfunctioned parsing the links. Should be:https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/302%20...
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/303%20...
https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/304%20...
finnadam said:
eldar said:
I think the Brabham Viva was a bit of a factory special, tuned standard engine and stripes, not a particularly successful one, only lasting a year.
The Brabham Herald involved replacing the engine, so a different concept. No factory support, I think. The Vitesse with its 6 pot 1600/2000 engine kind of made the Brabham pointless.
The Vitesse did not make the Brabham conversion redundant from a performance perspective, it was more the high cost of the conversion, almost doubling the cost of Herald, but in fact having the power without the increased weight, and forward weight at that, was of real benefit to handling.The Brabham Herald involved replacing the engine, so a different concept. No factory support, I think. The Vitesse with its 6 pot 1600/2000 engine kind of made the Brabham pointless.
The vitesse was fine for most.
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