Special Chevron makes race return
GOLD CUP
Chevron founder Derek Bennett’s unique B4 Bmw-engined GT prototype of 1966, which began the iconic line, was among the stars of last weekend’s B8 50th anniversary celebrations at Oulton Park.
Put together by Historic Sports Car Club’s executive director Grahame White – sales director at Chevron in the mid1970s – it was a reunion for former Chevron personnel including Bennett’s right-hand men, Paul Owens and Bob Faulkner who styled the GT.
Period drivers Digby Martland, John Lepp, Brian Classick, John Cardwell, John Burton, Alan Rollinson and Tony Goodwin were among Bennett’s disciples who joined the fun, which centred around Monday’s Gold Cup race for the Bolton-built GT cars, a run of 50 of which achieved FIA Group 4 homologation.
Bennett’s prototype, eventually known as the B4, was built between the pair of Lotus twin-cam engined cars [B3s] bought by Martland and Lepp. The first with BMW’S M10 unit – which would power the majority of B6s and B8s – it debuted at Crystal Palace and took Chevron to the Daytona 24 Hours in ’67 with Peter Gethin and Roy Pike.
Subsequently owned by Roy Johnson, it competed internationally until ’71, after which it briefly went to Ireland.
Preserved by the Knights brothers for 40 years, it was acquired by Swedish Chevron nut Kent Abrahamsson and partially restored last winter. “It wasn’t race-ready, but it was my target to have it here,” said Abrahamsson, who withdrew after a short practice run.