Connaught B-Type

1955 Connaught B-Type Formula One car

Key facts

  • Year

    1955

  • Country

    Great Britain

  • Capacity

    2,470cc

  • Cylinders

    4 cylinder

  • Valves

    Double overhead camshaft

  • Output

    250bhp at 7,500rpm

  • Performance

    Not known

  • Price new

    Not marketed

  • Loaned by

    Private Owner

  • Manufacturer

    Connaught Engineering, Send, Surrey

Connaught represented a glimmer of hope for British success in Grand Prix racing during the mid-1950s. Tony Brooks’ win in the non-championship Syracuse Grand Prix of 1955 was the first all British victory in such an event for many years. The B-Type Connaught is sometimes still referred to as the Syracuse. This car, chassis B6, was driven without success by the Italian private entrant Piero Scotti.

Connaught began with the production of Lea-Francis based sports racing cars in the late 1940s, going on to build single-seat cars to Formula Two specification from 1951. The Alta-engined B-Type was introduced for the new 2½-Litre Formula One regulations of 1954. Despite building well-engineered cars, the team struggled financially and with the withdrawal of funding by its major backer in 1957 Connaught disappeared from the Formula One scene.

The greatest moment I can remember for a long time in a Grand Prix – a green car was leading

John Riseley-Prichard, Syracuse GP report, Autosport
4 November 1955

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Panoramic view of the first floor of the National Motor Museum

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