Fantasy Junction

Description

1973 Chevron B23 M36
s/n B23-25, B36-76-05
Blue with Yellow Stripes and Black interior

Founded by an unschooled genius named Derek Bennett, Chevron Cars won races in every category where entered, right up to Formula One. While competitive in the Formula ranks, Chevron’s best cars were 2.0L Sports Racers. Along with Lola, Chevron cars were among the most competitive and well built small bore sports racings cars of the 1970s. Between the two manufactures, they essentially dominated sprint and endurance 2.0L sports car racing around the globe in their various forms between 1972 and 1982. Chevron cars won their class at the famed 24 hours of Le Mans no less than three times- 1974 (B23), 1979, and 1980 (B36).

This particular car is well documented back to the 1970s. As part of an informative historical book we have on hand are: a Royal Automobile Club (RAC) logbook from January of 1977, a Automobile Club D’Italia 1985 logbook (number 05694), Chevron Cars certificate verifying roll hoop work dated 1977, Chevron Cars certificate verifying fuel tanks compliancy dated 1980, and Sparco fire system compliancy certificate dated 1985.

First produced in 1973 as s/n B23-25, this example was intended for use in the FIA “Championship of Makes” and South African Springbock series in the early 1970s, although we have no record of this chassis competing in either. It returned to Chevron Cars in 1976 and was upgraded to B36 format with s/n B36-76-05 issued at that time. With the car are both Chevron Cars chassis plates. Following the B36 upgrades, the car was actively raced in Europe (including rounds at Mugello and Vallelunga), between 1981 and 1988 with a Ford 1600cc engine and the current Hewland transaxle. More recently, the car had completed in Italian hill climbs. In the late 1990s, just prior to the car’s importation to the USA, the car was restored by a noted Italian race shop to include paint, floors, new Lockheed brakes, new starter, new (small capacity) fuel cell for hill climbs, and plumbing. Tom Black of Portland, Oregon purchased this car in 1999, bringing it into the US and running one race at Portland International Raceway during that same year. Mr. Black replaced all the bodywork with new, lighter components, and built up and installed the 2.0L BDP (upgraded to 12 bolt crank pattern) Cosworth engine the car runs with today.

Although previously restored in Italy, shortly after purchase by the current owner in 2000, a no expense spared restoration with well known West Coast race support and restoration expert Neil Porter was started. Safety, competitiveness, and reliability were paramount considerations. As part of the restoration the entire suspension system was replaced or rebuilt including a-arms, shocks, and uprights. There are three race weekends on the suspension since rebuild. Hewland transmission experts Taylor Racing performed a complete overhaul on the transmission including new gears, bearings, and shift forks. Three races weekends have also been logged since Taylor’s gearbox rebuild. The half shafts were also rebuilt. The Cosworth engine currently fitted is a state of the art product by Geoff Richardson Engineering, purchased by Arnie Loyning for the current owner at a cost exceeding $50,000. It dyno tested at 294hp at 9,000 rpm, with 182 ft/lbs of torque at 7,000 rpm. Since the time of installation engine the car has run just one race weekend.

Today the car is in outstanding mechanical and cosmetic condition. The engine bay, transaxle, suspension, pedal box, cockpit, and frontal area are all nicely detailed. Signs professional race preparation and restorative work are evident throughout. The body fits well and the paintwork is in keeping with excellent racecar standards.

There are an expanding number of venues in which this magnificent race car can be campaigned. Included in these are: HSR, SCCA Vintage, and VARA, as well as CSRG and General Racing (Monterey Historic and Sonoma Historic Automobile Races) when grids are held for the 2.0L class. Few competition cars are as communicative and well balanced as a well prepared 2.0L, while remaining as achingly beautiful. For the competitive-minded historic race car driver, the small bore sports car class offers a prime opportunity to run hard- at “ten tenths”- against other like-minded racers.

Additional to the documentation relating to the history and restorative work, this car comes with a helpful spares package including a new windscreen (in box), a nose, a cowl, 13 gear sets, 4 extra (used) dog rings, 2 sets of wheels, a mold for the front air dam, as well as the old bodywork replaced by Mr. Black.

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.

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