CHEVRON REPCO. A Chevron was entered for Le Mans for the first time in 1968.

Based closely on the customer B8 coupe, the Le Mans runner was fitted with a Formula One-type Repco V8 rather than the usual 2.0 litre engine and was thus designated the B12. Designed by Chevron founder Derek Bennett, the attrac-tive chassis was a multi tube spaceframe with metal plating for reinforcement and bonded in stressed floor and fuel tank. Suspension was traditional with wishbones and coil spring/damper units front and rear.

The pleasing body shape was a glassfibre moulding and allowed for a front mounted radiator while the tail section had been enlongated to accomodate the 3.0 litre V8, the chassis having been stretched by 2.5 inches. The 1966 and '67 World Champion-ship winning engine was a 90 degree V8 with twin overhead cams which running Lucas fuel injection produced 330b.h.p. at 8,800r.p.m.

Although it had achieved such single seater success, this engine proved unreli-able as an endurance power plant. In the 1968 Le Mans race the car, driven by owner John Woolfe and Martland, retired after just three hours with a blown head gasket.

CHEVRON REPCO

B12 - 1968 90 degree V8 Steel plated spaceframe 3.0 litres Suspension: Alloy block wishbone front Fuel injected wishbone rear 16 valves Engine semi-stressed d.o.h.c. Newland gearbox • Unblown Flat bottom 330 b.h.p.