1965 ROVER-BRM GAS TURBINE
The Rover company had been involved with the jet engine during the Second World War. Once the war effort had ended, Rover persisted with this new technology, with a view to applying it to the motor car.

Following extensive research in the late 1940s, Rover produced their first gas turbine powered car in 1950. Known as JET 1, the car formed the basis of Rover's twenty year investigation into gas turbine power.

Perhaps the pinnacle of their experiments was the Rover-BRM racing car. Developed in conjunction with the Owen Organisation, the car was built around a rebuilt BRM Grand Prix racing chassis.

The Rover-BRM made its first Le Mans appearance in 1963, driven by BRM drivers Graham Hill and Ritchie Ginther.

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Being so unusual, the car was raced in a special category outside of the competition, carrying number '00'.

The car crossed the line in 8th position and claimed a prize for the first gas turbine car to finish at Le Mans.

The car should have returned in 1964, with a new body and engine. This was aborted after damage to the car on the way to Le Mans rendered it unable to race.

The final Le Mans attempt by the Rover-BRM was made in 1965. The car had a new body designed by William Towns, who was later to design cars for Aston Martin. Running in the 2-litre category, the car was driven again by Graham Hill, this time with new BRM teammate, Jackie Stewart. Despite problems along the way, the car finished in an excellent 10th place, the first British car to cross the line.