Description:

Entered in many international races in 1970 and 1971
Significant race successes in 1970 with John Burton
An authentic Chevron B16 with an undisputed and documented history
Eligible for Le Mans Classic

The Chevron B16, tailor-made for Group 6
The Chevron B16, designed for Group 6 competition, saw the light of day in 1970. This category was reserved for prototypes, with no minimum production required. Derek Bennett saw in it an opportunity to impose his name internationally and, above all, a way to capitalize on his previous creations, from the Chevron B8 to the single-seater Chevrons (such as the B9 and the B17, both designed for Formula 3 racing).

The B16 caught the eye right from the start. Carefully designed, it attracted attention with its low-slung body. The Chevron B16 was no higher than the roll bar of the Formula 3 cars that this true craftsman was building at that time. Derek Bennett made full use of the construction and design methods he already knew and did not try to revolutionize his winning recipe. The B16 was simply a more ingenious, optimized Chevron. The chassis took the shape of a shallow multi-tube frame, similar to Maserati's "birdcages". The riveted and glued body was made of aluminium, and was taken directly from the world of aviation. It also incorporated steel of different thicknesses.

The central section was made up of two tubular sub-sections bolted to the covered part of the frame. It was therefore not a true monocoque, a fact that speeded up faster repair work after an accident. This solution was chosen by Derek Bennett so as to be able to quickly offer an alternative solution to his customers of the time. There was no need to wait for a full new body to be built or to order a new chassis. It was a smart solution, similar to that proposed by Bruce McLaren on his Can-Am cars.

The Chevron B16 incorporated several other good ideas: the mounting of the oil reservoir at the front partially compensated for the weight of the driver. The doors had inbuilt intake ducts to cool not only the oil and the rear brakes, but also the driver. At high speed, the atmospheric pressure inside the cockpit caused small vents to open, thus allowing fresh air to flow through the cockpit itself. Driving in a nicely cool cockpit is always better than in an overheated cockpit, is it not?

Originally powered by a BMW engine (in the still-in-development prototype version), the Chevron B16 was subsequently fitted with a Cosworth FVA engine (renamed FVC). Later, one Chevron B16 was fitted with a Mazda Wankel engine, becoming the first car to line up on a starting grid with a rotary engine... thus heralding the 1991 victory!

DBE-06: A significant palmares in international races
Ascott Collection is proud to present for sale this Chevron B16 DBE-06. Acquired in 1970 by the British Team Worcestershire Racing Association, this Chevron B16 was actively engaged by John Burton during 1970. In the hotly contested 2 Litre Championship and RAC Sports Cars, John Burton achieved impressive results at the wheel.

Indeed, DBE-06 and John Burton regularly qualified at the top of the standings. Not taking part in all the races, John Burton obtained a 7th place in the 1970 2-litre Championship.

Among his feats of arms in 1970, there is a victory in the first race of the RAC Snetterton on March 27th 1970, then a 3rd place in the Paul Ricard International Trophy on April 19th 1970. John Burton finished behind Brian Redman and Joachim Bonnier, impressive!

On May 3, the 300 km race in Hämeenlina will this time be won. At Silverstone International on April 26th, he finished 2nd. A 2nd place will again be assured at the GP Jyllandsringen on August 23rd and at Brands Hatch (RAC) on August 31st. On September 20th John Burton and his Chevron b16 finished at the foot of the podium during the 500 km of SPA.

In 1971, DBE-06 changes hands. Trevor Twaites is now at the controls and the Intertech Steering Wheels team manages the car. DBE-06 will again be entered in the RAC races, the 2 litre championship and endurance races such as the 1000 km of Brands Hatch. With its new driver DBE-06 is rather in the top 10. Trevor Twaites still managed to place 5th at Oulton Park on April 9, 1971 and at the Croft Rothmans International Trophy Race Meeting on September 10, 1971.

Racing History
1970

RAC Snetterton, 27.3.1970 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: winner Grid: 1st (1:33.000)
RAC Thruxton, 30.3.1970 #37 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 6th Grid: 4th (1:20.000)
Brands Hatch 1000 Kilometres BOAC 1000 Kilometres World Championship Sports Car Race 12.4.1970 #77 Worcestershire Racing Association Driven by: Mike Walker (GB)/John Burton (GB) Result: did not finish (Fuel pump, ignition) Grid: 18th (1:35.600)
European 2-Litre Championship Paul Ricard Trophee Int. Paul Ricard 19.4.1970 #2 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 3rd Grid: 4th (1:24.300)
Silverstone International - Sports Cars Daily Express/GKN 22nd International Trophy Meeting Silverstone 26.4.1970 #4 Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 2nd Grid: 2nd (1:31.500)
Hämeenlina 300 Kilometres 3.5.1970 #2 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: winner - Heat 1: winner ; Heat 2: 2nd Grid: 2nd (1:22.530)
Faßberg 10.5.1970 Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 8th in SRP2.0
European 2-Litre Championship Salzburgring 24.5.1970 #6 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: started, result unknown - Heat 1: not classified ; Heat 2: did not finish Grid: 5th (1:20.100)
European 2-Litre Championship Anderstorp Europamästerskap För 2L Sportvagnar Anderstorp 7.6.1970 #2 Worchestershire Racing Ass. (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: did not finish (2:Throttle cable) - Heat 1: 7th ; Heat 2: did not finish (Throttle cable)
Grid: 4th (1:36.800)
European 2-Litre Championship Hockenheim Südwest-Pokal, Europa-Marken-Trophäe für Sportswagen und Prototypen bis 2 Ltr., Internationales Solitude-Rennen 5.7.1970 #17 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: did not finish (1:Spun, could not restart; 2:DNF) - Heat 1: 24th - did not finish (Spun) ; Heat 2: 18th - did not finish Grid: 5th (2:15.800)
Interserie Croft 11.7.1970 #37 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Mid-engined Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 5th Grid: 6th (1:09.000)
Mugello Grand Prix Gran Premio Mugello 19.7.1970 #26 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: did not finish (Accident) Grid: (31:41.600)
GP Jyllandsringen 23.8.1970 #16 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 2nd
RAC Brands Hatch 31.8.1970 Worcestershire Racing Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 2nd Grid: 3rd (1:34.800)
500 km Imola 13.9.1970 #51 Driven by: John Burton (GB)/John Bamford (GB) Result: did not finish
Spa 500 Kilometres Trophée des Ardennes 20.9.1970 #7 Worcestershire Association (GB) Driven by: John Burton (GB) Result: 4th Grid: 6th (3:49.800)
Interserie Hockenheim 300 Meilen ADAC-Preis von Baden-Württenberg, 300 Meilen Hockenheim 11.10.1970 #50 John Burton (GB) Drivers listed: John Burton (GB) Result: did not arrive

1971
Brands Hatch 1000 Kilometres BOAC 1000 Kilometres World Championship Sports Car Race 4.4.1971 #25 Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB)/Peter Smith (GB) listed, never drove: Angus Clydesdale (GB) Result: did not finish (Timing chain) Grid: 17th (1:42.000)
RAC Sports Car Championship Oulton Park The Rothmans Formula One International Car Races Sponsored by the Daily Express Oulton Park 9.4.1971 #78 Intertech Steering Wheels Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: 5th Grid: 11th (1:44.200)
RAC Sports Car Championship Thruxton BARC Yellow Pages Sports Car Trophy Thruxton 12.4.1971 Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: 9th Grid: 17th (1:34.600)
European 2-Litre Championship Paul Ricard 18.4.1971 Intertech Steering Wheels (GB)
Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB)/George Duncan (GB) Result: did not qualify
RAC Sports Car Championship Silverstone GKN-Daily Express 23rd International Trophy Meeting Silverstone 8.5.1971 #68 Intertech Steering Wheels (GB) Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: did not finish Grid: 16th (1:37.800)
European 2-Litre Championship Salzburgring Taurenpokal Salzburgring 23.5.1971 #31 Intertech Steering Wheels (GB) Drivers listed: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: did not arrive - Heat 1: did not arrive ; Heat 2: did not arrive
European 2-Litre Championship Silverstone Silverstone Martini International 5.6.1971 #36 Intertech Steering Wheels (GB) Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: did not finish (2:DNS) - Heat 1: 17th ; Heat 2: did not start Grid: 25th (1:36.000) - 26th fastest qualifier
RAC Sports Car Championship Croft Rothmans International Trophy Race Meeting Croft 10.7.1971 #27 Intertech Steering Wheels (GB) Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: did not finish ; Heat 2: 5th Grid: 11th (1:09.200)
Wunstorf International - Sports & Prototypes Internationales Flugplatzrennen Wunstorf 15.8.1971 Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: 9th Grid: 11th
RAC Sports Car Championship Brands Hatch 30.8.1971Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: 9th Grid: 19th (1:36.800)
Nürburgring 500 Kilometres Int. ADAC 500 km Eifelpokal Rennen Nürburgring 5.9.1971 #56 Intertech Steering Wheels (GB) Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) DNS: Barrie Maskell (GB); listed, never drove: Peter Hanson (GB) Result: 11th
RAC Sports Car Championship; Thruxton 19.9.1971 Trevor Twaites (GB) Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: 12th Grid: 12th (1:23.000)
Trophy of The Dunes 26.9.1971 #51 Intertech Steering Wheels (GB) Driven by: Trevor Twaites (GB) Result: 13th - Heat 1: 18th ; Heat 2: finished, position Grid: 27th (1:36.800)

A known and documented history
Ownership history
1970 - 71: Mr John Burton

1971 - 72: Mr Trevor Twaites

1972 - 83: Mr Jeremy Sommer

1983 - 86: Mr Griffin

1986 - 88: Sir Stirling Moss

1988 - 98: Mr Kent Abrahamsson

1998 - 17: Mr Michel Quiniou

2017 : Current owner

A very well prepared car sold with a large lot of parts
Benefiting from a significant track record during this period, it then passed into the hands of celebrities such as Sir Stirling Moss and well-known collectors/competitors such as Mr Kent Abrahamsson and Michel Quiniou. The latter kept it for no less than 18 years during which DBE-06 was regularly engaged in historic races where it was most often at the top of the rankings.

Acquired in 2017 by its current owner, it was entrusted to the Belgian workshop MEC Auto who has kept it at a high level of preparation. Complying with Peter Auto regulations, DBE-06 is eligible for numerous races in Classic Endurance Racing 1 as well as in Le Mans Classic on Plateau 5 where it has been entered several times. Its BMW 2 litre M10 engine is maintained by Lester Owen. An important set of parts is included in the sale. It consists of a second BMW M10 engine to be overhauled, bonnets, 12 wheels, gearbox ratios, suspension and brake parts as well as an impressive historical file. The tanks are valid until 2022 and its PTH is valid until 2027.
DBE-06 offers a rare opportunity for a collector or competitor looking for an undisputed car with a significant race history.

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