Description:

1977 Chevron B40 F2 chassis #05

We are very pleased to offer this rare and stunning 1977 Chevron B40 F2 chassis #05 for sale on behalf of its current owner.

The B40 was Chevron's design for the 1977 F2 season and was a tidied up and improved version of the B35. It was a front runner in the European Championship and very competitive with its rivals: the March 772, Martini MK22 and the Ralt RT1. Although the B40 only won twice, Rosberg at Enna and Leoni in the Ferrari-engined chassis at Misano, it was competitive everywhere as five second places showed. Only 11 examples were build with the engines of choice - apart from the aforementioned Ferrari engine - being both the Hart 420R and BMW M12/7.

B40-77-05 was one of the 3 Fred Opert Racing Team cars entered in the 1977 European Formula 2 Championship. The Team cars were chassis #05, #06 and #08.Chassis #06 was mostly raced by Keke Rosberg (SF) but also Alex Ribeiro (BR), Arturo Merzario (I), Eje Elgh (S); chassis #08 was "the Guest Car" raced by Jacques Laffite (FR), Gregg Young (USA), Alan Jones (AUS), Maurizio Flammini (I), Keke Rosberg (SF) and Tiff Needell (GB). Our car, chassis #05 was raced extensively by Hugh "Wink" Bancroft, an American whose budget subsidized the star drivers.

After having been fully rebuild in 2003 by ex-Chevron employee Vin Malkie for then owner Mike Sidgwick, the car then passed through the hands of 3 more UK owners before it was bought by the current owner in 2012. After having experienced some engine problems, he had the car fully rebuild by Matthew Watts at Retro Track and Air. The rebuild included the re-skinning of the tub and fitment of new, correct KONI dampers. At the same time, another Hart 420R engine (on injection) was bought which was rebuild by renown engine specialist Geoff Richardson. Delivering around 290bhp, the engine has been extremely reliable with only 353 miles on it thereby leaving plenty (approximately 650 miles) of life. The car has had no accidents since it’s rebuild, has been very well maintained and is in perfect, race-ready condition as evidenced by its last outings at Dijon in October 2018 with 2 podium finishes. It would only need a new seat suited to its new, lucky owner.

New HTP papers were issued in 2018 which are valid until 2028. B40-77-05 comes with 2 complete spare sets of wheels (8), splitter and exhaust silencer (with modified wing support).

This Chevron B40 is a great looking car and is totally ready to run at the front in HSCC’s thriving F2 race series!