Motor Racing Developments Ltd, better known as Brabham, was founded in 1960 by Australian racing driver Jack Brabham and engineer Ron Tauranac. The company quickly established itself as a leading manufacturer of single-seater racing cars, supplying competitive machinery to drivers and racing teams around the world. The BT2, introduced in 1962, was one of its earliest production models, designed for the highly competitive Formula Junior category.

This particular chassis is believed to be a transitional prototype between the BT2 and the improved BT6 introduced for 1963. At the Boxing Day meeting at Brands Hatch in December 1962, New Zealand driver Denny Hulme drove the prototype Brabham to victory, setting a new outright lap record. Hulme would later become Formula One World Champion in 1967.

The car also has an extraordinary connection to British criminal history. During the 1963 season, it was raced by Roy James, a talented driver who became notorious for his involvement in the Great Train Robbery. James drove one of the getaway vehicles in the infamous £2.6 million robbery and remarkably returned to racing, winning at Cadwell Park just ten days later. He was subsequently arrested and imprisoned for his part in the crime.

The Brabham continued its racing career, passing through several owners and drivers before arriving in New Zealand during the mid-1960s. It was raced by Ray Thackwell and John Weston before being driven by renowned New Zealand racer Graham McRae during the 1967/68 season. Over its competitive life, the chassis has been linked to 38 recorded race appearances.

The original chassis eventually became part of the Southward Car Museum collection, preserving a remarkable piece of international motorsport history. With connections to Denny Hulme, Graham McRae and one of Britain's most infamous crimes, this Brabham has a story unlike most racing cars of its era.