- 5,284
- Sick_Cylinder
In 1960, while racing a Maserati 450S, Jim Hall met Dick Troutman and Tom Barnes the designers of the Scarab. With Hap Sharp and other investors Troutman and Barnes agreed to design and build an all American car named Chaparral which would be Chevrolet powered.
Hall's first race in the new Chaparral was an SCCA event in 1961 at Laguna Seca where a stunning second place was achieved behind a Birdcage Maserati. The motor was a 283 Chevrolet V8 enlarged by Traco to 318 cubic inches and fitted with triple Stromberg carbs. These were soon changed for a six carb setup! The motor produced around 300bhp and was positioned well back to achieve a 50/50 weight distribution. Four more chassis were produced, on the later cars the wheelbase was slightly lengthened to enable an increase in the size of the cockpit which Hall had found to be too cramped. Hall and Sharp made many modifications to their car including the fitting of one of the first chin spoilers. They obtained agreement from Troutman and Barnes to call their own cars Chaparrals, but a 2 was added to distinguish them from the Troutman barnes designed cars.
This car is truly historic and had a fine race record - it represents the pinnacle of 1960's front engined sports racing car design - an era ended by the arrival of mid-engined cars in 1963.
Below one of the 5 Chaparral 1's made shown competing at a recent Goodwood revival event.
Above Chevrolet V8 fed by 6 carbs and good for 300bhp according to Jim Hall.
Last edited:
