Sold 1973 Chevron B23 2146355629 Tweet

1973 Chevron B23
s/n B23-73-04
Dark Blue and Yellow Samson Racing Livery

Chevron was one of the most innovative and successful racecar 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 any sort of specialized engineering training, college degree, or 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. Working quickly and cleverly with just a few staff members, Chevron cars quickly amassed race wins in every category entered, right up to Formula One, where a promising car was planned but never completed. Chevrons 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).

This particular B23 is reported by the current owner to have been delivered new in Italy and later imported into North America. The current owner purchased the car from Peter Gulick in 2005, shortly after Gulick raced this car to win the John Wyer Cup at the 2005 Jefferson 500. Gulick, a former partner in Lee Champan Racing, is well known for successfully racing several Chevron cars, including B23-73-04, his personal car. After the current owner purchased the car from Gulick, he spent a significant amount of time and money preparing this car for various competition events. Over the years, extensive attention has been devoted to the car in an effort to prepare a reliable and hyper-competitive car. Extensive receipts and detailed records date back to 2007.

Nearly every system of the car was painstakingly refreshed or rebuilt, including the engine, gearbox, chassis, suspension, and brakes. In 2009, BG Detection Services X-rayed the suspension, finding no cracks. In 2013,Veloce Motors performed a comprehensive rebuild of the BMW M12 engine, which was dynoed at a stonking 326hp at 9300 RPM upon completion. The cars logbook shows in addition to the dyno time, the motor has two weekends on it, both at Laguna Seca in 2016 (one of which was the Historics). The research and preparation for the rebuild of the rare and beautifully assembled BMW M12 engine included mag checking the rods, polishing and magnafluxing the crank, surfacing the block and head, calibrating and rebuilding the Bosch pump, new intake and exhaust valves, new intake cam sprocket, installing and custom machining new pistons with DLC coated wrist pins, new rod bearings, and replacing all lines and gaskets as needed.

In mid 2014, the Hewland gearbox was comprehensively rebuilt by Taylor Race Engineering. New parts included a Twin Orange clutch, gears, ring and pinion, and other components totaling over $10,000. Taylor also installed new spline axles, a new drive shaft, lightweight CV joints, custom cut half shafts, and spherical rod ends. Also during this time, Lee Champman Racing was enlisted for mechanical work, and also installed a lightweight Carbon Tail ($2,200), fiberglass quarter splitters, a Chevron Formula windshield, and in 2016, a new Braille Micro-Lite battery. During reassembly, careful attention was given to all new fuel lines, comprehensive electrical inspection and replacement where needed, and refinishing to a very high standard, exemplified in just one instance where $1,000 was spent on titanium hardware alone. In all, the current owner boasts nearly an inch thick file of receipts documenting thousands of dollars spent in the past fourteen years of service and rebuilding efforts that have prepared this car to both a high mechanical and aesthetic standard.

Today the car presents beautifully with excellent race cosmetics and stunning Samson Tobacco competition livery. The contrasting dark blue and yellow paint scheme offers a clean and dynamic look to one of the most elegantly designed competition cars of the period. The lightweight carbon rear bodywork hugs the chassis, allowing only the elevated yellow engine air intake to break the low profile lines of this stunning car. Functional louvers, intake and exhaust vents, and Gurney flap finish off the sophisticated bodywork, an integral part of the performance and stability of these exceptional racecars. The cosmetic condition of the paint and lettering is high quality, with great gloss and vivid color. Inside, the cockpit is clean, simple, and in excellent shape. A modern racing seat, OMP harnesses, and a proper fire system present nicely against the raw aluminum and satin black finishes. The car sits on correctly sized wheels shod with Goodyear racing tires. The cockpit has been updated with a properly anchored roll bar and external dual position rear view mirrors, excellent visibility to this very capable package.

Under the lightweight body panels, the well-prepared frame and suspension have been comprehensively tested, serviced, and restored with attention to detail using high quality materials, updated fasteners, and durable race-proven chromate and cadmium finishes. The entire engine compartment has been beautifully finished. The fuel delivery system, electrical, and suspension components were tested and reassembled with a level of care that reflects the quality of the entire build of this car. The chassis and suspension components all present with the same level of integrity and finish. The resulting car has only two race weekends, ensureing that the new owner has many more hours of enjoyment ahead with this beautifully prepared B23.

The car is accompanied by documents reporting important specs on the suspension settings, gear ratios, alignment, and engine. Included with these records are extensive receipts for parts and service performed on the car over the past fourteen years, totaling approximately $70,000. Additionally, a spare front and rear body section, a spare set of front and rear Good Year racing tires, a spare set of four wheels with tires, a spare exhaust, and a box of miscellaneous mechanical spares (including two uprights, two springs, and two axle assemblies) are also included with the sale.

Among the most extensively prepared and rarely configured BMW M12 B23 racecars, this car is example is exceptionally well-prepared, both mechanically and cosmetically, and has proven to be extremely competitive. Well-sorted and passionately owned, this car is ready for its next fortunate and dedicated racing enthusiast to enjoy and campaign with pride.