British Racing Green...

[Capt Lightning]

In the early days of motor racing, Grand Prix races were run on a national, rather than team basis. The races were run on public roads, and the winners were to host the following Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the law in the UK did not permit racing on public roads, so when they won, and hence had to host the next race, Ireland offered to host the race. As a mark of gratitude, the British cars were painted green, and hence the colour 'British racing green' was born.

 

[Geezer Garage]

Cool! Didn't no that bit of automotive history. Thanks for the enlightenment.

 

[Bellbird]

I wondered at the name of the colour, thanks

 

[horseless carriage]

Arguably, the most famous car to bare the colour: British Racing Green. Known as The Bentley-Blower.


The famous MG sports cars were given an aerodynamic make-over. It was named
The MG Airline, seen here in British Racing Green and Black, two-tone.


Much as I love the British Racing Green as a colour, I've got clothes, hats and shoes in it, some cars just
don't cut it in BRG. This MG is called a YB, maybe I am biased but I much prefer my YB in it's red & cream.

 

[Bellbird]

I remember Stirling Moss' car was British Racing Green.

 

[Tish]

@Capt Lightning thank you for that tidbit of information.
It reminded me of the good old days of V8 racing cars at Bathurst, where Allan Moffat raced Falcon GT-HO
and Peter Brock raced HDT Monaro.

That first race started a Holden, and Ford rivalry that lasted for decades.

 

[Manatee]

I worked for many years with British cars and never knew that, thank you.

 

[hollydolly]

MY old Rover 2000 the first car I ever bought in Spain... was British racing green..

 

[UncleVinny]

They have a "Grand Prix" street race of that sort out here in Long Beach, CA.

I lived in Belmont Shore in Long Beach for a spell. I wasn't much interested in attending The Grand Prix of Long Beach...but I could sit home and hear it! I lived by Irwindale Raceway when I was a teen. I was probably 3 miles away as the crow flies, and The Top Fuel and Funny Cars would rattle my windows!

U.V.

 

[JB in SC]

My wife, father in law, and brother in law all had Jaguars, none were British Racing Green. I always like the 60’s era Brabham with the eyeball numbers, especially the ‘64 BT11. They were tiny…