Fantasy Junction

Description

1975 Chevron B29 Formula 2

s/n - 29-75-30
Engine No. – M12/7 V115
Exterior Color – 1976 Brian Redman White Livery
Interior Color – Black
Engine – BMW M12 2L in-line 4-cylinder
Transmission – 5-Speed Manual

History of Chevron

Chevron was one of the most innovative and successful race car companies ever assembled. Built from the ground up by self-taught engineering genius Derek Bennett, it was, despite humble beginnings and minimal finances, immediately profitable. Unlike many experts in the complex and often costly world of motorsports racing, Bennett lacked specialized engineering training, a college degree, and marketing savvy. His expertise, however, evolved from his combined fascination with aircraft and racing, derived primarily from his daring experiments and short-lived apprenticeships in a range of fabrication shops.

A bootstrapped start-up long before the term was coined, Chevron thrived on the facile and clever efforts of just a few staff members, quickly amassing race wins in every category entered, right up to Formula One, where a promising car was planned but never completed. Chevron’s best and most successful cars were 2.0L Sports Racers. Along with Lola, Chevron cars were among the most competitive small bore sports racings cars of the 1970s, leveraging their lightweight and durable chassis construction with proven engines and astutely designed aerodynamic bodies. Both Chevron and Lola essentially dominated sprint and endurance 2.0L sports car racing, with Chevron winning their class at the famed 24 hours of Le Mans three times: 1974 (B23), 1979, and 1980 (B36).

History and Build Details of this Chevron

Both the Chevron B25 and B27 had sold in strong numbers, so the B29 became a logical improved iteration of this successfully refined configuration. Of the three markets available to suit the B29, Chevron would construct just five cars for Formula 2, Europe. This car, chassis number 29-75-30, a late season works development car, was constructed for Hans Binder and was initially powered by a BMW engine. Once completed, the works car was test driven by Brian Redman and delivered to Jorg Obermoser, Team Warsteiner Eurorace. Binder would drive the car in Formula 2, powered by a Rosche BMW engine. In 1976 Brain Redman would race at the New Zealand Internationals as part of the Fred Opert team. In late 1976, the car was sold to David Oxton, New Zealand, and raced in the New Zealand Formula Pacific series powered by a Formula Pacific BDA engine through 1979. From 1979-1984 William Kelly and Gary Lang, NZ, would compete in international races. The car would subsequently move to Chris Read ownership in 1984. Read would retain the car until 1991 when it was sold to Kenny Smith, then Brian Sampson (1992-2000), Peter Whelan (2000), Miles Jackson (2008) and then displayed at the World of Speed Museum, Wilsonville, OR until August 2016.

Driven by Hans Binder, Brian Redman, David Oxton, Eric Morgan, and Chris Read, the inaugural race, August 31, 1975, at Silverstone would be the first of 44 total recorded races.

Build Details and Recent Preparation

Among the many mechanical features of the car, the BMW engine runs a factory original BMW cylinder head, FGA transmission, Hewland differential, Cam and Pawl LSD, magnafluxed suspension and steering (2010), Koni shock absorbers, original type 4 aluminum caliper Lockheed 10” and 11” steel disc brakes, and 23-13 x 13 rear, 20-9.5 x 13 front wheels. In 2009, the engine was comprehensively rebuilt by VDS engines totaling over $53,000.00 (invoice included with documentation). Work performed included rebuild and flow test for the Kugelfischer fuel system, Quarter Master 7 1⁄4'' clutch, a new aluminum timing gear cover, Laggerplatte intermediate bearing plate, new pistons and connecting rods, new seals, new water pump driven pulley, new fuel lines, new inlet trumpets, cylinder bore, sodium dichromate magnesium components, cylinder head resurfacing, magnetic particle inspection, and dyno testing.

In addition to the extensive engine rebuild, Taylor Race Engineering, Inc., Plano, TX rebuild the FGA transaxle ($11,000 invoice, 2009), a set of front and rear wheels purchased from Chevron Cars ($3,400) were purchased (two spare sets are included), BMW fuel injection pump and 4 injectors ($12,000), and numerous other invoices completing the rebuild to a very high standard. From 2020-2022 J&L Fabricating, Puyallup, WA prepared the car further including the installation of new Willans 6-point racing harness, two new batteries, a new custom fitted seat, chassis dyno including camber alignment and corner weights, new fire bottle (2020), gearing set up for Ridge Seattle, trackside support, new Avon and GoodYear tires (May 2020), polish and nickel plate for new roll bar and down bars, install new roll bar, duplicate left and right fuel cells ($4,600), install Chevron supplied engine cover, wing pylon, and airbox, new vented front brake rotors and four new dog rings (2021), along with the fabrication of numerous parts, specialized details, and preparation for racing.

Current Condition Overview

Today this Chevron offers exemplary presentation with excellent paint and beautifully finished competition livery. The car has been restored to a very high standard both cosmetically and mechanically with only minor evidence of track use evident on the body. The racing livery is reflective of the 1976 Peter Stuyvesant Series when piloted by Brian Redman where he finished 2nd behind Australian Max Stewart’s Lola T400. The clean white paint scheme offers a fresh perspective on the advanced aerodynamics devised during this experimental period before computer analysis. The lightweight fiberglass bodywork sits low and tight to the chassis with the center post mounted rear wing perched well behind the rear axle. The sophisticated bodywork includes a side intake scoop feeding the fuel injected engine, a dramatic low front air dam, and a softly articulated engine cover to facilitate proper airflow. The cosmetic condition of the paint and lettering is very high quality with great gloss and vivid colors. Inside, the cockpit is clean, simple, and properly composed, including a custom formed racing seat, up to date 6-point restraint system, and a proper fire system (bottle replaced 2020) all of which confidently present the high quality of work performed on this car. The car sits on a set of staggered size Chevron supplied wheels shod with Good Year racing tires. The cockpit has been recently updated with a newly fitted roll bar and down bars.

Under the lightweight body sections, the well-prepared frame and suspension have been thoughtfully tested, serviced, and restored with attention to detail including the use of high-quality materials, updated fasteners and hardware, and durable race-proven finishes. The entire engine compartment has been professionally finished with attention to cosmetic presentation and mechanical excellence. Everything from the Kugelfischer fuel delivery system, electrical components, suspension, and brakes have been tested and reassembled with care and accuracy. As indicated on the Hobbs quartz hour meter, the BMW engine has logged 72.6 hours since the engine was rebuilt.

Beautifully prepared by passionate experts and dedicated ownership, this BMW powered M12 B29 race car offers notable documented history from new. The exceptional presentation offers the next enthusiast a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a superb vintage race car with confidence.

The car is accompanied by invoices dating back to 2009 under current ownership. These invoices contain detailed information on all services, parts, and maintenance performed on the car. Additionally, 4 palates of spares accompany the car:

Two fiberglass front air dams
Front air dam fiberglass mold
Spare windscreen
A spare set of valve cover gaskets
A red center cowl body section
Body center cowl section mold
Unfinished center cowl section
Spare gears, fuel pump, half shafts etc (two boxes)
Spare BMW crank from VDS in box
Spare set of front and rear wheels and Goodyear tires
Spare set of front and rear wheels and Avon tires
Spare front and rear batteries
Subframe fixture and various frame sections
Misc. engine cowling parts
Spare BMW head
Numerous engine parts

Please note: The personalized fitted seat pictured will be retained by the current owner and does not accompany the sale.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608