Really have a thing for Aluminum

[BeauV]

The Chaparrals were built here in Midland, TX by an oil company heir who is a great engineer (Cal Tech) and a lovely guy. He still has the shop just south of town and a private track. Several of the originals are on display in a local museum.

I think the Chaparral was about the most innovative and best race car built by anyone in this country, certainly in its time and probably forever. For example, if memory serves, the wing was attached to the axel and not the car. Because of that you could have "normal" race car springs in the suspension. For reasons I'm still not clear on, the rules guys decided that wasn't "ok", and forced future wings to apply downforce through the chassis instead of directly to the axels. All subsequent race cars have to use springs that are stiff enough to carry the extra "weight" of the downforce. This makes them drive like shit on bumpy roads at low speeds.

My memory is that Jim Hall had a bunch of cars with the number "66" on them. So we may not know from the picture which car this is. But, there's a good bet it's this one in the picture. I grew up watching Hall win races - amazing cars and a great guy.

[Cherie320]

So - the one which was a bit off course is the C1 car. It was raced in several configurations, because the effort was focused on improvement. This car was sold. The later cars were retained.

The second car is one of the development configurations. At the time the picture was taken, it was available as a replica to purchase for your own vintage driving pleasure. Note - transmissions were automatics - two speeds - fast and faster. Fibreglass used for chassis. And non-racing GM/Chev helped a bit with engines ..... the aluminum connection. My apology if I've got any of this wrong.

Here is a set of the cars on display at the Laguna Seca Historics. Generally as fast as they developed a new aero solution the rules got changed. The first one is what I think of as typical and was the first progression in their wing cars. The sucker car was a very interesting concept.

[Rob McAlpine]

He built 2 of most, only one of some cars. They're kept in running condition, and a couple of times a year he runs over to the Petroleum Museum and takes them for a spin. It's a great sight and sound.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM56wSPgaWY[/youtube]

[BeauV]

I LOVE THE LICENSE PLATE on the back of #1 - a street legal registered Chaparell. Certainly very cool!

[BeauV]

He built 2 of most, only one of some cars. They're kept in running condition, and a couple of times a year he runs over to the Petroleum Museum and takes them for a spin. It's a great sight and sound.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM56wSPgaWY[/youtube]

VERY COOL!!

[Rob McAlpine]

I LOVE THE LICENSE PLATE on the back of #1 - a street legal registered Chaparell. Certainly very cool!

They always raced with Texas plates. Even at Le Mans.

[Cherie320]

Rob - that video provides a new perspective of the 7 car. It always seemed an oddity when compared to the other designs. Seeing the car driven brings it alive. Thank you for posting the video.

Was exciting to see this one on the track. And that is the point. They do belong in motion and driven reasonably hard. Yes, Sharp and Hall did make an impact on the community. Pat

[BeauV]

Fond memories from childhood of walking around the pits with a bucket full of tennis balls at the track. Offering them to guys from out of town who weren't expecting the dust at Laguna or Riverside. They'd put them in those exhaust pipes and the carb inlets to keep the dirt out. I got to meet all sorts of great drivers and mechanics when I was 10-13. Wonderful group of folks. My memory is that most of the drivers were covered in grease, none of this "clean driver" stuff I see today.

[Cherie320]

Fond memories from childhood of walking around the pits with a bucket full of tennis balls at the track. Offering them to guys from out of town who weren't expecting the dust at Laguna or Riverside. They'd put them in those exhaust pipes and the carb inlets to keep the dirt out. I got to meet all sorts of great drivers and mechanics when I was 10-13. Wonderful group of folks. My memory is that most of the drivers were covered in grease, none of this "clean driver" stuff I see today.

One of the interesting elements of the Historics is seeing owners driving and working on their own cars. Also getting to see old war horses back at the track is more interesting than the pristine restorations. Guess that goes to your "as raced" comment. But the most interesting is seeing parents teaching their kids about cars. Your story about the tennis balls is amazing. An excellent example of finding a need and filling it.

Pat