Project Chrysalis: Another One Of Three Novel BRM Engines Taken Of The Shelf

British Racing Motors (BRM), one of F1’s big players back in the days has made the headlines multiple times this year ensuing the discovery of its original F1 race engines from the 1950s.

There were only three of the original engines produced, and each one was a 1.5-liter supercharged V16 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Capable of producing 591 hp and revving up to 12,000 rpm, it was unfortunately about as reliable as a 1990s Alfa Romeo. 

Nevertheless, ever since their discovery, they have laid dormant, that is until BRM rebuilt a P15 race car for the owner’s son, John Owen.

That’s one build down, and now for the second, the client has been confirmed as Richard Mille, known as a racing fan, racing sponsor, and racing car collector.

Interestingly, Mille already has a couple of BRM racing cars in his collection, including a Mk 1 BRM V16 and a P30 V16 Mk 2.

Richard Mille commented, "I have been a huge BRM fan for many years, ever since I started collecting historic cars more than 15 years ago. I knew I was becoming serious about BRM when I invested in the wonderful P115 H16, but there is something I find particularly fascinating about the V16. Not only is it, to my eye, the most beautiful Formula 1 car of its time, but it is also the most technically complex, especially if you think about the technology of the day. Anybody who knows my watches will know that I admire technical complexity, attention to detail, and quality, and for me, the V16 represents all of these elements in one beautiful package. I believe it's our duty to preserve these incredible pieces of automotive art, and this is a unique opportunity to do just that."

Elaborating further, the project is called the Chrysalis, and leading the charge in reviving the famous engine is Hall and Hall, BRM’s technical partners. 

Notably, they will build the second all-new BRM V16 using the original blueprints and drawings from BRM's archive.

Plus, in building this second Chrysalis, more than 36,000 individually engineered parts will be used and the build will take about 24 months to complete.

Evidently, these are only two out of three original verified V16 engines that have been claimed, which leaves only one on the shelf.

However, with 24 months’ worth of work to do, it will likely be a while before the third one gets claimed by its new owner. 

John Owen concluded, "This is wonderful news for BRM and all our fans everywhere. With Richard's support, we are giving more and more enthusiasts the chance to hear the unique sound of the V16 again, keeping the BRM legend alive for future generations."