<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> America's first Formula 1 engine displaced just under the maximum of 2.5 litre. It was designed to be on par with the likes of Ferrari and BRM, who both claimed to produce 280 bhp. The desmodromic system worked flawlessly but it struggled to get to 220 bhp no matter how hard they revved the engine. The original plans had called for an infinite-ratio automatic transmission. Despite making a sizeable dent in the resources it never materialised. Eventually the team had to settle on a Corvette-sourced four-speed manual.
The all-American package was clothed in a very conventional aluminium body. Two cars were built and finished in the white and blue American racing colours also used for the Scarab sports cars. This included beautiful detailing by Los Angeles based artist 'Von Dutch'. Upon completion, they were shipped to Europe for Monaco Grand Prix. Ironically, the Scarab team was assigned the same garage as Cooper. Their small, mid-engined machines very much represented the future, making the Scarabs look outdated before they even turned a wheel.
Once on track, it only became worse for Lance Reventlow and fellow driver and engineer Chuck Daigh. The Scarabs were hopelessly off the pace and a last minute switch to Dunlop rubber made little difference. Stirling Moss was asked to drive the car to make sure the drivers were not to blame; they weren't. The American cars were a full eight seconds off the pace and slower even than the diminutive Formula Juniors that raced in one of the support events. Needless to say both cars failed to qualify for the race.
The tight and twisty Monaco street circuit was probably the track least suited to the Scarab on the calendar, so all hope was not lost. Next up was the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort where the cars indeed performed better. Daigh was particularly impressive and managed to set the 15th fastest time in qualifying. After some of the rivals questioned the Scarab's times, an upset Reventlow withdrew his team. In doing so, he robbed Daigh of his maiden Grand Prix start.
Daigh did make his debut during the next round at the very challenging Spa circuit. He started from the last position on the grid and struggled on in the race until he lost all oil. Reventlow also participated but his race was cut short when a piston punched a hole in the block after only two laps. The young heir had lost all confidence and had Richie Ginther flown in for the final European round at Reims. Further engine failures in practice depleted the spares' inventory and neither Daigh or Ginther were able to start. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
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America's first Formula 1 engine displaced just under the maximum of 2.5 litre. It was designed to be on par with the likes of Ferrari and BRM, who both claimed to produce 280 bhp. The desmodromic system worked flawlessly but it struggled to get to 220 bhp no matter how hard they revved the engine. The original plans had called for an infinite-ratio automatic transmission. Despite making a sizeable dent in the resources it never materialised. Eventually the team had to settle on a Corvette-sourced four-speed manual.