Brabham BT49
Built in six weeks around a Cosworth V8, this ground-effect Brabham carried Nelson Piquet to his first world title in 1981.
- Power
- 500 bhp
About the Brabham BT49
Gordon Murray designed the BT49 in 1979 as a short-notice replacement for the Alfa Romeo-engined BT48, and the first three cars were ready in six weeks for that year's Canadian Grand Prix. Its aluminium monocoque was reinforced with carbon fibre panels, and its shaped underside made so much ground-effect downforce that Murray originally ran it with no front wing. Nelson Piquet won the 1981 Drivers' Championship in the BT49C, helped by Murray's controversial hydropneumatic suspension, which held the car at the legal ride height in the pits and let it settle lower at speed. Developed through B, C and D specifications, the BT49 took seven wins, six poles and 135 points over four seasons.
Brabham BT49 specs
The Brabham BT49 produces 500 bhp (373 kW) and 366 Nm (270 lb-ft) of torque.
| Make | Brabham |
|---|---|
| Model | BT49 |
| Years | 1979–1982 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | About 17 built |
| Engine | 3.0L naturally aspirated V8 (Cosworth DFV) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,993 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 500 bhp (373 kW) at 11,000 rpm |
| Torque | 366 Nm (270 lb-ft) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 580 kg (1,279 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 862 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Brabham BT49 rarity in CarSpot
The Brabham BT49 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Brabham BT49 fun facts
- Seventeen BT49s were built and most survive; Christian Glaesel won the 2005 FIA Historic Formula One Championship in a BT49D.
- The 1982 BT49D carried water tanks for 'water-cooled brakes'. The water was dumped early in the race so the car could run up to 50 kg under the weight limit, then topped up before the weight check.
- After his first test, Nelson Piquet said the Cosworth DFV felt smooth and willing to rev compared with the Alfa Romeo V12s he had been used to.