Description:

ex-Peter Crossley Chevron B8. CH-DBE-54

Chevron cars had burst onto the GT racing scene in 1966 with a dream debut for its B3, the very first GT car produced by the talented Derek Bennett, winning at Oulton Park in its maiden race. To racing driver John Lepp, observer at the Chevron's first track test at the same venue, this came as no surprise having already seen the GT put in a lap no less than six seconds under the GT record.

Its closely resembling successor, the Chevron B8 - more often than not powered by BMW's two liter, overhead camshaft, four cylinder engine - went onto dominate national GT racing and enjoy much success in Europe from 1968 onwards. The B8 used a space frame chassis with all independent wishbone/coil spring suspension, while its svelte and curvaceous fiberglass bodywork made it one of the prettiest GT/sports racers of its era. With its mid-mounted engine mated to a Hewland transaxle, it was duly homologated for the international Group 4 class, and it too proved highly successful: the car made its race debut at Cadwell Park on March 3rd 1968 and just over three weeks later, an example, driven by John Silverstone, took an outright win in the GT race at Silverstone; John Lepp then went on to take overall honours in the 1969 RAC Sports Car Championship. By the time production ceased in 1970, Chevron had only built 44 B8 models of which 34 with the BMW 2.0 litre engine. Whichever power unit was fitted, the B8 remained a superbly effective racing car and highly competitive in international racing, thanks to its combination of superb agility and outright speed. The situation is no different today in historic racing where the Chevron B8 and Bolton's best is a regular podium finisher in sports and GT car events.

We are proud to offer for sale the ex-Peter Crossley Chevron B8. CH-DBE-54 was built by Chevron and supplied to well known British club racer Crossley in March 1968. This was the start of an extensive and successful racing career for CH-DBE-54 which has a well documented, continuous ownership history (see below) and has always been maintained at no-expense-spared by its prior and current owner during the last 15 years. Interestingly, CH-DBE-54 was the car in which renown historic race preparer Simon Hadfield had his first 3 races in 1984 when the car was owned by John Upton. Not surprisingly, Simon won all 3 races !

CH-DBE-54 is in excellent condition throughout and is sold in race-ready condition. The car's 2.0 litre BMW engine was rebuild by specialist Lester Owen and has approximately 4 hours running. Rebuild suspension and brakes. It comes with a good spares package (multiple wheels sets, spare bodywork, etc.) and benefits from a new, 2017 issued FIA HTP. 

Interestingly, CH-DBE-54 comes with Belgian road registration documents which make it a great entry for historic road events and rallies around the world ! 

This pedigree Chevron B8 is truly one of the best examples and is eligible for all historic race events such as LeMans Classic (where CH-DB-54 has participated multiple times), Masters WSM, CER, etc. where it will continue to be a competitive and very welcomed entry.

History: 

Ownership History (a detailed racing history is also available on request) :

03/68: Peter Crossley, Sparkford, Somerset, England, UK

• raced in UK and Europe (Croft, Oulton Park, Vila Real, Anderstorp, etc.)

71: Theo Kinsbergen, Stichting Racing, Mijdrecht, Netherlands

• entered and sponsored by Team Radio Veronica
• with 1980cc BMW 4C engine
• painted red and dark blue
• raced in ’71 Dutch championship by Kinsbergen, Zwolsman and Bosman

72: Henk Bosman, Netherlands

• sponsored and entered by Team 4711 Sir Irish Moss
• painted green
• raced in 1972 Dutch championship

72: Frans van Dijk, Netherlands

81: Steven Langton, Lingfield, Surrey, England, UK

82: Richard Parsons, UK

83: John Upton, Valour Racing, UK

• raced in historics in ’84 by Simon Hadfield

85: Tim Greenhill, Berkhamstead, Herts, England, UK

• raced in historics by Tim Goss
• five class wins and class championship winner

88: Richard Arnold, Gloucester, England, UK 

97: Michael Kuhn, Germany

00: Jean-Francois Veroux, France

03: Stephan Schrauwen, Belgium

11: current owner