Chaparral car?

[aurfalien]

Hi,

Would any one happen to know which model Chaparral this is?

And was it ever kitted?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard Bartrop]

It's actually not a Chaparral, but a modern tribute car..  https://www.motorsport.com/roadracing/news/can-am-spec-car-revival-will-it-work-in-2015/

Edited September 12, 2017 by Richard Bartrop

[Bernard Kron]

It's not a Chaparral. It's a modern car, clearly based on the old Can Am M8 McLarens. Here a link to the car's description: http://www.unlimitedracingchampionship.com/the-cars To quote from it:

...Although inspired by yesteryear's legendary Can Am cars, the NuArt Can Am is an entirely new creation, designed as a thoroughbred race car for today. While it shares strong visual ties to classic Can Am cars from the glory days of the 60s and 70s, the car is entirely new from the ground up, and is engineered for safety, aerodynamics, driver comfort, reliability and speed on today's world class race tracks.

...

The NuArt Can Am also features power steering, a traditional close ratio “H” pattern 5-speed synchro-mesh gearbox, and 12-inch diameter steel ( as the original cars used ) to help manage the power of the mighty aluminum big block engine. All this generates a uniquely challenging, yet fun driver experience, reminiscent of pure 1960s-1970s “unlimited” Can Am sportscar racing. Thunderous power, stunning speed, effectively controlled, with a high degree of safety. Matchless to see, hear, and experience!

 I'm no model car kit historian but I know that MPC, Tamiya and Accurate Miniatures all have made kits of it. The MPC kit is 1:20, Tamiya 1:18, and Accurate Miniatures 1:24.

 

[aurfalien]

Hi and thank you Bernard and Richard.

Makes sense on why I couldn't find anything about a Chaparral car of this sort.

Thanks again, good history as well.

[Howard Cohen]

There was some talk a few years ago of having a race series for this car and others like it but the series never got off the ground. There were some cars built and run but I cannot find any evidence of a race series. 

About 15 years ago there was someone on the east coast who wanted to build a replica of the Chaparral 2D but that never got off the ground either.  

 

Edited September 12, 2017 by Howard Cohen

[The Junkman]

You can, in fact, buy "continuation" series of the 2E and made by Chaparral.

http://www.chaparralcars.com/2e.php

[aurfalien]

Hi,

Thanks for the rather informative info Steve and Howard.

Man, Chaparral was a cool car outfit for sure.

Edited September 12, 2017 by aurfalien

[aurfalien]

It's actually not a Chaparral, but a modern tribute car..  https://www.motorsport.com/roadracing/news/can-am-spec-car-revival-will-it-work-in-2015/

Hi,

Nice link, good reading.  Thanks man.

[935k3]

Due to the Chapparal H being non competitive Chapparal did run a Mclaren M12 for John Surtees at Watkins Glen in 1969. I saw it race.

[Draggon]

Due to the Chapparal H being non competitive Chapparal did run a Mclaren M12 for John Surtees at Watkins Glen in 1969. I saw it race.

I saw the 2H try to run with the huge wing at Laguna Seca. It didn't make the race, but I've long forgotten why. 

[El Caballo]

[El Caballo]

These were all taken at the museum in Midland, TX.

[El Caballo]

[El Caballo]

[aurfalien]

Hi,

Wow, thanks for the photos.

Very very cool.

[The Junkman]

So to put a modeling aspect on this: the lower body on the early cars was made of (I believe) fiberglass which was originally black but age transformed/changed to the dark reddish brown shown in the above photos.  Would that be correct or was it always the dark brown?  I've got an old AMT Chaparral C kit and 3 of the Chaparral D (two Monogram/Revell and one Fujimi-to say nothing of the E from Fisher.  I don't know how that happened-I've always been a Ford guy)

[RancheroSteve]

As far as I know, the fiberglass was always brown. I'm more of a Ford guy here, but I always liked the Chaparrals - it was very exciting at the time to see what innovations they would come up with next. I can still remember the buzz when the high wing 2E made its debut at Bridgehampton in 1966.

[ZTony8]

The interesting  thing is that for all the different Chapparal versions, C through G, there were only 4 or 5 tubs built. The old ones were just converted to the later versions( unless they were wrecked).

[Jim N]

As far as the model kits, Monogram issued a kit of a Chapparal that has been released and re-released over the years.  There are several on ebay. 

I built this one a number of years ago.  It has a low parts count, but today it remains one of my favorite models.

[aurfalien]

Hi,

Yes it doesn't take much for these kits to look great.  I mean they sorta already do anyways.  I can see why Ed loved his Chaparrals.

[JWebber]

Surtees-driven Chaparral McLaren M12 was carefully massaged by Chaparral Cars. It was not a "standard" Trojan-built M12 customer car. Signature high wing, and repositioned (enlarged?) fluid coolers are some examples.

Edited January 2, 2024 by JWebber