Arrival of BRM chassis IV at the British Motor Museum

Published: 02/02/2022

Formula 1 Fun moves up another gear at the British Motor Museum with the arrival of a rare 1950s Racing Car!

February half term’s Formula 1 family activities will continue at the British Motor Museum with the arrival of a BRM chassis IV P15 Type 1 V16. The BRM Type 15 was a Formula One racing car of the early 1950s and British Racing Motors were the UK’s first Formula One team. The car will go on display at the Museum from 17 February to 1 March, coinciding with half term. 

An exclusive members-only preview event will also take place on the evening of Wednesday 16 Feb from 6-7.30pm, giving members a unique chance to see the car up close and chat to Paul Owen, Director of British Racing Motors Ltd.

Of the four original models that were made, only two exist today, together with two of the ‘mark 2’ P30 V16 cars. To mark BRM’s 70th anniversary, three new and authentic models are being built by racing car specialist Hall & Hall. These will use original P15 chassis numbers that weren’t allocated at the time, as the cars were never built due to a change in Formula One technical regulations. Hall & Hall are using around 20,000 original drawings to painstakingly recreate the three new P15s as true to the original as possible. 

The first car – chassis 1/04 - has been commissioned by John Owen, the 82-year-old son of BRM’s original owner and renowned industrialist, Sir Alfred Owen, and its this car that will go on display at the Museum. The two other BRM V16s are up for sale and historic racing car collector, Richard Mille, has bought the second car. Richard, more famous for his global luxury watch business, has the world’s most extensive collection of BRM racing cars including an original MK1 BRM V16 and an original P30 V16 MK2. 

Stephen Laing, Head of Collections at the British Motor Museum said “We are extremely privileged to have this iconic racing car on display at the Museum for 2 weeks. Not only is it one of the most beautiful Formula One cars of its time but it is also technically highly complex, overlaid with BRM’s intriguing back story. It will be a great addition to our half term activities and a must see for all the enthusiasts out there.”

Museum entry is just £40 for a family in advance or £44 on the day, £14.50 for adults in advance or £16 on the day, £12.50 for concessions in advance or £14 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and get an Annual Pass in return, at no extra cost. All family activities are included in Museum admission and run on a drop in basis, just visit the Family Activity station on arrival to find out what is going on when. All activities are suitable for 3+ years with adult supervision, unless otherwise specified. 

To find out more information about February half-term activities please  visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/february-half-term , and for the Members only preview event visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/members-only-p15-brm, or call 01926 895300.