Chevron B6/B8

Chevron B6/B8

The most prolific of all Chevron built GT’s, 44 B8’s were constructed. Before that the basic shape was tested in the B3 and the B4, the main difference between the two being the 1600 cc BDA engine in the B3 and the 2 litre BMW engine from the 2002 fitted into the B4. Both cars were presented in 1966 and the B3 swept away all the competition in its class, mainly consisting of Lotus Elans. Lotus then re-emerged with the Competition version of the 47, but that is another story.
The BMW engined cars were a bit more troublesome in the reliability department. Fitted under a 30 degree angle in the 2002, the engine now had to be placed vertically, which required a change in the oil scavenging system. But when they went, they went very fast. The next step was the B5, which had a 2-litre BRM Tasman V8 (Also used by Matra), which proved to be quicker than the Lola T70 when driven by Brian Redman.
A number of further GTs were built which became known as the B6, irrespective of the engine type, while a sportscar version finally got the designation B8. Also here many different engines could be installed, including Climaxes, BMWs and FVAs.
The final version was the unique B12, which had a 3 litre REPCO 640 engine, taken from Jack Brabham’s F1 cars. Due to teething engine problems this car never realised its expectations, but it was considered to be on par or even better than a Ford GT.

Today many of the remaining B6/B8 are run in historic races, and the winning streak continues. The main problem however is most of the time the presence of the Chevron B16 in the two litre class, which took Derek Bennett’s masterpieces another big leap forward.
Shown here are a number of examples participating in this year’s Silverstone Historics. Also some older shots have been added taken in the eighties and early nineties

For those interested, David Gordon’s book : Chevron, the Derek Bennett Story, has just been reprinted.

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:) Those great cars will never be forgotten ....
They was Fast and so great to see !

Challe / :)

great pics Henk:)