Description
Identified by the Arch Motors frame number (AM08) as the original Chevron ID plate is missing, this 1969 B15B’s history can be traced back as far as 1972. As per Alan Brown’s detailed website oldracingcars. com, only three B15Bs appear to survive, only one of them seemingly identified by the original Chevron number.
Although the original logbooks were unfortunately stolen some years ago, photocopies do survive and the SCCA logbook covers the 1972 season when Dr Steve Mandy raced the car in gold/ orange livery, followed by Larry Risser of Hamburg, Pennsylvania in 1973, who reportedly advertised it for sale in May 1975. The later history of Chevron is documented in the history file that accompanies the car, paperwork showing it passed to Daniel Helman on May 15, 1979 then to Bill Lockwood on February 10, 1983, both of whom raced it in SCCA events.
The car was sold to noted collector and enthusiast George Nuse of Atlanta, Georgia, who in turn sold it to Robert Hobbs in the mid-1990s. A major restoration carried out by John Corson saw the car made ready for vintage racing, a rebuild that included the chassis, suspension, brakes, engine, gearbox and cooling system. New BBS wheels and bodywork were made at the time, along with a new fuel cell. Debuting at Mid-Ohio in July 1994, Hobbs campaigned the Chevron in Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) events for a number of years and had former World Champion F1 driver Phil Hill and legend Brian Redman guest drive on multiple occasions. Hobbs kept an extraordinarily detailed folder recording every race he entered, which includes data on set-up, gearing etc for every circuit that would be invaluable to anyone racing the Chevron in North America.
Joining its Late Owner’s significant collection of competition cars in May 2016 and arriving in Australia the following year (Import Papers on file), the Chevron underwent a second major rebuild in preparation for a return to the track. Stripped back to the frame, every component was x-rayed before being re-assembled, the BDA engine overhauled with a 12-bolt crankshaft, new conrods and pistons, a fresh Hart cylinder head, new camshafts, gearbox, new oil and water pumps, electronic ignition and 45 DCOE carburettors. A new fly wheel and bell housing were fitted and the Hewland FT200 gearbox overhauled.
All hoses (water, oil and brake) were replaced, while the brakes were overhauled with new discs and calipers, the suspension rebuilt with new rose joints to comply with CAMS regulations and shock absorbers. The fuel tank had a new bladder fitted, along with a new fuel pump and filter, along with new BBS wheels and tyres, new gauges and wiring, a new windscreen and rear view mirrors.
Used sporadically over the past eight years and last run a couple of months ago, the Chevron is ready to race, comes with an extensive spares package included (full list available on request) and is a well-presented, highly competitive single-seater eligible for all manner historic events in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America.
