The return of the BRM P15 V16

We say the cars are new. Their construction most certainly is but the chassis numbers date back to the early 1950s, having been assigned but not built at the time. The project is being undertaken in collaboration with specialist engineers Hall and Hall, who’ve been using period blueprints to recreate each of the 36,000 individual parts that comprise a P15. The V16 engine alone is comprised of over 4,000 parts.

There’s no mistaking the P15 for anything else. That louvred bathtub design, unlike a 250F or other Grand Prix cars of its ilk, doesn’t taper at all on the way to what is a gaping mouth, of course there feeding that incredible fizzing 12,000rpm-revving 600PS-plus (447kW) 16-cylinder engine.

Prior to the unveil and delivery of the first car here at the Revival, it was shaken down by Hall & Hall to make sure everything was present and correct. “The car is fundamentally superb,” Rob Hall said. 

“Of course, it still needs a few tweaks and adjustments, but this is to be expected in such a complex package. We took the engine up to 9,000rpm but got a ticking off from the Circuit because I think we exceeded their 95dB noise limit!”

Now the first is built, it’s on to the next two. “It took two years, from original blueprint right up to shakedown, but there are no shortcuts when you’re working to the level of quality, detail and authenticity we needed,” Rick Hall said.

“With the first of the three new Mk1 V16 now complete, we will turn our attention to the two remaining chassis numbers,” he added. “With all the technical hurdles now safely overcome, we are supremely confident we can create a truly magnificent, brand new, historically authentic yet entirely raceable 1950s Formula 1 car”.

Photography by Peter Summers, main image by Nigel Harniman.