Rare Brabham race car recovered after overnight theft

Victorian Police are investigating the theft of a rare Brabham BT21 race car in Melbourne, which has been recovered with a damaged clutch.

There’s only six examples globally of this 1960s British-made open-wheel Formula One racing car.

It was stolen from a Hill Street property in the wealthy Melbourne suburb of Toorak, which was believed to occur sometime in the early hours of Thursday, March 9.

The vehicle was abandoned in Grange Road – just two streets away – and recovered by officers on the same day during the early hours of the morning, albeit with a broken clutch.

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Image from Victoria Police

The Brabham’s owner, Peter Williams, told ABC Radio Melbourne that the mechanical damage means it can no longer compete in the Phillip Island Classic race this weekend, but still hopes to restore it.

Williams said the one-seater race car was driven by Australian racing driver Sir Jack Brabham, the co-founder of the Brabham car manufacturer and racing team itself, and suspected the offender/s didn’t know how to operate the switches to turn it on.

The vehicle is painted in British racing green with a single gold stripe and number five livery.

Authorities are appealing to the public if anyone has information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.