1954 Connaught Type-B - 'B4'

At Goodwood during the afternoon of 12th August 1954 a select assembly of Pressmen and enthusiasts who had taken the trouble to drive down to the Sussex circuit at the invitation of John Webb Press Services, saw Rodney Clarke drive a few sedate laps in the prototype 2½-litre four-cylinder Alta-engined, all-enveloping Connaught Type-B Grand Prix car.

No attempt was made to over-publicise this latest model from the courageous little factory at Send in Surrey where Clarke and his colleague, Mike Oliver, had charge of a keen band of some forty engineers and draughtsmen, all eager to see Britain build an effective Grand Prix car.

The new car was effectively a prototype requiring further development and the 1955 Grand Prix (officially now entitled Formula 1) season was the target, but that too depended on funds - Connaught Engineering was a non-profit-making concern which did not receive monetary support from publicity-seeking concerns or organisations. They decided that they would refrain from entering an official team of cars, realising that their financial resources would not stand the inevitable strain of so doing and focussed on attracting private owners. Happily, sufficient off-the-drawing-board orders were received to enable them to lay down a batch of seven Type-B chassis and Alta agreed an exclusive supply of their 2,470cc twin overhead-camshaft four-cylinder engines.

These power units were advanced for the time with the alloy block-casing and crankcase all in one and within the casing is positioned a single casting which forms four 'wet' cylinder liners. The crank was three-bearing and Vandervall thin-wall bearings were employed for both the mains and the big-ends with lubrication by dry-sump. The cylinder head was detachable and was jointed by Wills rings and the compression ratio initially was 12.5:1. Fuel supply was by the latest S.U. fuel-injection system with the pump being driven from the rear of the near-side camshaft. The timing gears are also at the rear of the block and ignition was provided by a Lucas coil.

We understand that following its construction at the Connaught works and designation as chassis ‘B4’, this car was campaigned by the Rob Walker Racing Team during the 1955, 1956 and 1957 seasons and still wears his signature colours. It was driven by Tony Rolt at the British Grand Prix at Aintree in 1955, took part in further Grand Prix at Syracuse and Pau, and was enjoyed by Jack Fairman, Peter Walker and Reg Parnell, before its period competition history is understood to have concluded at Aintree in 1958 with Verdun Edwards.

Connaught Type-B 'B4' was acquired by its current owner in 2010 and has remained in his custodianship ever since. Throughout this period, the car has been professionally run and prepared by renowned historic racing specialist, Michael Hibberd, and under his stewardship it has been raced at numerous high-profile historic events, most notably at Goodwood and the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, confirming both its eligibility for, and acceptance at, the very highest level of historic motorsport. It has also been raced extensively in HGPCA events, as well as appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on multiple occasions. Further information about the car's history, ownership etc. is available upon request.

'B4' represents one of the most significant and evocative British Grand Prix cars of the post-war era conceived at a time when British constructors were beginning to challenge the established European marques on the international stage. An important and authentic British Grand Prix car with compelling period history and proven modern usability, 'B4' represents a rare opportunity to acquire a Connaught Type-B capable of participation at the world’s most prestigious historic motorsport events.