By Dean Larson

Photos: Seller, BringaTrailer.com, and By Lothar Spurzem - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/...

I know this looks like nothing more than a pile of exotic old fiberglass, but if you squint a bit, you’ll see one of the most beautiful race cars designs to come out of the 1970s. No it’s not an original Chevron, but instead a fiberglass replica of Derek Bennett’s beautiful and successful B16 endurance racer. Mocked up on blocks with a shoddy chassis and slot mag wheels, you could say the design isn’t being done justice here. But if you can see past its current derelict state, there are more than a few reasons why you should stick around for the results of this no reserve auction.

Much like Colin Chapman, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren, Derek Bennett got his start on the race tracks before becoming the figurehead of his own firm, called Chevron Cars Ltd. Bennett was a practical, self-taught engineer of sorts who specialized in small-capacity sports racing cars of Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula Atlantic. His company had hit it big in the 1960s and satisfying demand for customer cars kept Chevron’s employees busy, delaying the development of Bennett’s new prototype B16 racer until 1969.

The all-new B16 was based on a steel space frame with aluminum reinforcements, forming somewhat of a semi-monocoque chassis. It was powered by a Ford Cosworth 1,800 cc FVC engine with a five-speed Hewland transmission and four-wheel disc brakes. With 258 hp on tap and independent suspension, the B16 had good bones, only topped by the striking good looks of its aero-friendly fiberglass body. The car was debuted at the Nürburgring in 1969 with Brian Redman driving, where it finished first, and would go on to be quite successful in the two-liter classes.

As far as this fiberglass replica goes, you wouldn’t exactly pick it out as an iconic 2-liter sports car design in its current state. The body is unfinished fiberglass, and is currently resting on a chassis that’s unfit for duty. There’s no glass of any kind included in the sale, which is really throwing off the lines, and the slot-mag wheels make it look much more like a Manta. However, there are a few huge positives to consider.

For one, this body was allegedly formed from one of the original 23 Chevron B16 racers — chassis CH-DBE-35. It also comes with some trick mechanicals including suspension uprights, spindles, brake discs, Willwood calipers and some really rad two-piece basket weave wheels. There’s also the small fact that it’s selling at no reserve, and the bidding has only reached $1,200 with three days remaining.

I’m not saying this project is a small undertaking, and you’re basically starting from scratch as far as the chassis and drivetrain goes, but I think there’s a stellar 1970s sports racer hiding in this pile of parts. Watch the auction here on BringaTrailer.com.