Monoposto
Chassis #: GP II
Engine #: 2E
High bid of $450,000 at 2009 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Houston Classic Auction. (did not sell)
Detroit was producing a new generation of lightweight, large displacement pushrod overhead valve V8 engines that soon found their way into the bellies of race cars produced by hot rodders, tuners, and road racers. They had proven their merit in Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, and Chryslers and would even breath new life into tired Ferraris and Maseratis. With refined engineering and improved casting techniques, it seemed like the possibilities were virtually endless. The engine, coupled with a proper chassis, such as the ones produced by builders like Brian Lister in the UK and Bill Sadler in Canada, soon became a dominant force in racing.Lance Reventlow was born in 1936, the son of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton and Danish Count Kurt von Haugwitz-Reventlow. Needless to say, he was born of considerable wealth, even after his parents divorced he was a man of considerable means. By the early 1930s, he fostered a passion for automobile racing. That interest blossomed even further when he met Bruce Kessler, another individual with considerable riches and a knack for the mechanical inter-workings of automobiles. The duo raced cars in Europe and America, visiting factories and gathering techniques on how to build a successful racing machine. After this tour, Reventlow was convinced that he could assemble an American team to build and race a competitive car. Warren Olsen was charged with the management of the team, Emil Diedt and Phil Remington were the fabricators, and Jim Travers and Frank Coon managed the engines. Chuck Pelly drew the body lines and Ken Miles contributed his insights, concepts, and practical experience. Chuck Daigh filled in wherever he was needed and took the cars out for test drives. Reventlow wrote the checks.The first attempt at making this dream a reality was the Scarab MK1. It was a fast car that showed tremendous promise. It was soon followed by another Scarab, the MKII. In total, three examples of both the MK1 and MKII combined were created.
The Chevy V8-powered Scarab sports racers soon dominated the U.S. Road Racing Championship and overwhelmed their competition in style, construction, and presentation. In 1958, the Scarabs attempted international racing but the FIA ruled their big Chevy V8s out of competition, restricting sports cars to three liters. Lance Reventlow sold the Scarab sports cars and focused his attention on Formula One.
After the restoration process was complete, it was displayed, raced, and demonstrated at important events including Amelia Island, the New York and Bagatelle Louis Vuitton Concours, and at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where it was driven by Brian Redman, Damon Hill, and Chuck Daigh.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
1960 Scarab Grand Prix Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Related Automotive News
1958 Monaco Grand Prix: An Unlikely Frenchman Steals the Show…Again
In 1955, perhaps the most unlikely of drivers would survive the attrition and the beckoning Monaco harbor to claim his only victory in Formula One. Some three years later, and more unlikely than ever to even win a second race at any circuit, the same...
An Era of Perspective
Everyone loves a champion. At least that is the saying. But it isnt necessarily true. Instead, everyone loves their champion. When another proves to be equal or stronger, then all reason slips through the window when judging skill.
The lamentations...
1965 Mexico Grand Prix: Ginther Finally Gets It!
Richie Ginther had come so close so many times in the past but had always been outshone by someone else for victory. Now with the new Honda Team, it seemed anybody other than Ginther would win. But all of that would change on the 24th of October, 1965.
Ginthers...
1968 Belgian Grand Prix: A First for McLaren
McLaren and Formula One are truly synonymous. Over the course of its history, McLaren has completed 714 races and have garnered no less than 178 victories. But while McLaren and victory in Formula One are an almost certainty, the very first would be...
1962 Monaco Grand Prix: McLaren Carries the Cooper Flag back to the Top
By the beginning of the 1962 Formula One season Jack Brabham had left Cooper to form his own racing team. It seemed the glories days of the double World Championship were well and truly behind them. However, left in Brabhams stead would be a man very...