Description
“One of the best of Bennett”
Chevron B36 (1976)
Brand-new BDG engine, brand-new FIA HTP—ready to race
Founded by Derek Bennett, the British racing-car manufacturer Chevron made a name for itself in the 1970s for developing a long line of competition cars that were both extremely reliable and very quick—whether they were single-seaters or sports cars, each of them produced in modest numbers. Chevron didn’t just shine in Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula Atlantic, it also impressed in the European 2-litre sports car championship that was really taking off at the time.
Launched in 1970 as a proper European championship, the series welcomed the best sports-car entries from the famous British chassis manufacturers of the era—among them Lola, March and Chevron—with continental opposition from Alpine, Porsche and Abarth Osella, bolstered by a whole host of homegrown initiatives from across the globe.
In 1976, just after the European championship had run its course, the B36 was the final iteration of a long line of open-top 2-litre Chevron Group 5 and 6 sports cars that began with the B16 Spyder and continued with the B19, B21, B23, B26 and B31. Customers could choose from a wide range of engine options. Several Cosworth variants, as well as the BMW M12, proved the most popular, although other choices ranged from the Chevrolet Vega to the Chrysler/ Simca. The B36 was launched in 1976 as a Group 6 car, aiming for multiple (class) wins at Vallelunga, Suzuka, the Targa Florio and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The B36 CH-76-02 was one of many cars owned and driven by Jean Blaton and his friends between 1987 and 2003.
Photos from the time show the car—painted navy blue and yellow—driven by personalities such as “Beurlys” himself, Teddy Pilette, Pierre Dieudonné, Didier de Radigues, Pierre van Vliet and the Spa-Francorchamps circuit director, Jean-François Chaumont.
In 2003, the car was sold to Mr Richard and Benton Bryan, from Tennessee (USA), at which point the Pierre du Nord livery was applied. Under their ownership, the car raced at Le Mans Classic in 2004, 2006 and 2008, as well as other major European events. Nigel Greensall, who had nothing but praise for it, can be seen at the wheel of the car at the Castellet in the following video: - details above
Under its most recent owner, the car has been completely restored, including an engine rebuild by Mark Solloway of Blue Sky Engineering UK. The car will be supplied with a new FIA HTP certificate and is ready to race.
- The car has been fitted with a new chassis. The original chassis is included in the sale.
- Recently built, reliable 290bhp engine by Mark Solloway of Blue Sky Engineering.
- Dyno testing only
- FT200 5-speed gearbox overhauled
- 4 new FIA-spec brake calipers
- New FIA Belasoluton safety tank valid until October 2030, renewable up to 2032.
- 7 spare wheels
- Spare Pierre du Nord bodywork
- Water pre-heater
- The car is in Belgium and is perfectly race-ready
