• Seller: Brandon B utler
• Location: Burlington, Wisconsin
• Mileage: 0 Shown
• Chassis #: 4004
• Title Status: Missing
• Engine: 650cc Triumph V-Twin

Events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed have allowed historic racing machinery to gain a new lease on life. These vehicles were often cut up for scrap when their competition days ended, but there is a renewed focus on preservation that has allowed many of these cars to survive and return to active service on a limited basis. This 1967 Briham PRH4 could be an ideal candidate for such an approach. It is a partially-restored vehicle needing a new owner to complete the job of returning it to its former glory. Most of the parts required to complete the process are included, and the elegantly simple engineering makes it ideal for anyone considering a first restoration project. The current owner feels it deserves that level of attention, listing the Briham exclusively with us at Barn Finds.

Modern racing cars are typically built and maintained in workshops that are as sterile as a hospital Operating Theatre. However, that hasn’t always been the case. Ken Tyrrell’s Formula 1 team started life building cars in a converted woodshed and a barn, and the workshop that Briham initially utilized was no more than a family garage. In fact, the very first vehicle carrying the Briham name was constructed in a bedroom! Brothers Brian and Peter Hampheir attempted to build that car in 1961, although an unsurprising lack of space meant that it was never completed. Two successors followed before they laid the foundations for the PRH4 as a Formula 4 machine. The brothers followed a radical construction technique during development, constructing their latest creation from a composite material called Mallite. This is essentially sheet aluminum sandwiching end-grain balsa wood. It is extremely light and surprisingly strong, with both attributes critical in a racing class featuring modest power. Records confirm that Briham produced six examples of the PRH4, with this being the fourth to leave the factory. It is essentially complete, having undergone a partial restoration while in the care of a previous owner. The paint holds a beautiful shine, and the only notable flaw is a chip near one of the Dzus fasteners. Otherwise, there is nothing to fault about the car’s appearance. The Mallite shows no evidence of physical damage or delamination, confirming that this vintage racer is structurally sound. The focus on weight reduction is emphasized by the wheels, which are alloys that started life on a Mini.

Formula 4 racing regulations that were in force when the PRH4 debuted called for a maximum engine capacity of 650cc, with Briham utilizing a Triumph twin-cylinder motorcycle engine that qualified for the class. Most of the cars sent the power to the road using a Norton transmission, although the handbuilt nature of these beasts makes it unsurprising that this car features a four-speed Triumph unit. Four-wheel independent suspension gave the Briham superb and predictable handling, with English Mini-Fin brakes providing excellent stopping power. The owner indicates that the engine sitting in this car is for display purposes, featuring no internal components. A spare Triumph engine is included, but its condition is unknown. However, should a rebuild be required, this should not be expensive or complicated. Potential buyers should also note that this classic has been bolted together for display purposes and will need to be assembled properly as part of the build. The owner has a small tote of parts that come with the car, including the coil-overs.

Racing machinery from the 1960s tended to feature pretty basic interiors. Some builders elected to skip such “luxuries” as gauges, while seat belts or safety harnesses were quite rare. This Briham reflects that philosophy, with a blank dash and nothing beyond a thick wheel and a shifter for the sequential four-speed. The buyer will need to supply a seat, and period-appropriate reproductions are surprisingly easy to find. Gauges will be a matter of personal preference, although they may prove to be cheap insurance to monitor the engine’s health in the heat of battle. The interesting thing about this shot is that you can clearly see the balsa wood that formed the core of Mallite. It would be easy to disguise, but leaving it exposed as a talking point might prove irresistible.

Although it may not seem so initially, every classic belongs to a niche sector. Mustangs are Pony Cars, Thunderbirds are Personal Luxury Cars, and the Plymouth Road Runner is a Muscle Car. Historic racing cars occupy their own niche, and it was one that was ignored for decades. Today, vehicles of this type have grown enormously in popularity, and while some enthusiasts focus on the more well-known marques, preserving machinery produced by smaller companies is a worthwhile exercise. This is especially true of this 1967 Briham PRH4, thanks to its innovative construction technique. This gem deserves its place on the track once again, and you could make that happen.