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1961 Chaparral 1 Navigation
The first Chaparral was the last of the traditional American-engined 'road race specials' that came out of the 1950s California hot rod culture.
These cars were the natural descendants of the amazingly successful Scarab project funded by Lance Reventlow. By 1961, Reventlow had moved on to other interests, and the Troutman and Barnes team, who did most of the fabrication and detail design of the Scarab, needed both a new project and sponsor. They envisioned an updated Scarab using the latest technology and their most recent on-track experience.
In late 1960, Troutman and Barnes crossed the path of Jim Hall. Hall was from Texas and in the oil business. He was already well known as a highly successful racer in Maseratis. A brilliant engineer, Hall was ready to move beyond just buying someone else's race car. This new project enabled him to get involved in the actual on-track development. He agreed to fund the project by committing to purchase two cars.
The result of this partnership can be thought of as a Scarab with 400 lbs. less weight, disc brakes, and independent rear suspension. While mid-engined race cars were appearing on the scene by 1961, they were no available transaxles capable of transmitting the power of the small-block Chevy. This lack of a transaxle forced Troutman and Barnes to keep the motor up front. However, they compensated by mounting the engine as far back in the chassis as possible.
Of the five cars built, 003 was Jim Hall's second Chaparral. After first appearing at Sebring in March of 1962, 003 wore numerous body shapes during its career. While campaigning the car at Sebring, Road America, Mosport, and Nassau, Hall began his experimentation with race car airflow management, eventually leading to the innovative Chaparrals of the Can-Am Era.
003 was sold in 1963 to Gary Wilson of Kansas. After SCCA racing by Wilson, 003 won a Southwestern Division C Modified championship with Joe Starkey before moving on to Gene Nearburg of Dallas, Texas. By the end of its racing career, 003 had survived with its frame intact, most of the original suspension, rear axle and the 1963 Sebring FIA bodywork. Now restored as it won the 19962 Road America 500, Jim Hall's second Chaparral has returned to the track after a 40-year absence.
These cars were the natural descendants of the amazingly successful Scarab project funded by Lance Reventlow. By 1961, Reventlow had moved on to other interests, and the Troutman and Barnes team, who did most of the fabrication and detail design of the Scarab, needed both a new project and sponsor. They envisioned an updated Scarab using the latest technology and their most recent on-track experience.
In late 1960, Troutman and Barnes crossed the path of Jim Hall. Hall was from Texas and in the oil business. He was already well known as a highly successful racer in Maseratis. A brilliant engineer, Hall was ready to move beyond just buying someone else's race car. This new project enabled him to get involved in the actual on-track development. He agreed to fund the project by committing to purchase two cars.
The result of this partnership can be thought of as a Scarab with 400 lbs. less weight, disc brakes, and independent rear suspension. While mid-engined race cars were appearing on the scene by 1961, they were no available transaxles capable of transmitting the power of the small-block Chevy. This lack of a transaxle forced Troutman and Barnes to keep the motor up front. However, they compensated by mounting the engine as far back in the chassis as possible.
Of the five cars built, 003 was Jim Hall's second Chaparral. After first appearing at Sebring in March of 1962, 003 wore numerous body shapes during its career. While campaigning the car at Sebring, Road America, Mosport, and Nassau, Hall began his experimentation with race car airflow management, eventually leading to the innovative Chaparrals of the Can-Am Era.
003 was sold in 1963 to Gary Wilson of Kansas. After SCCA racing by Wilson, 003 won a Southwestern Division C Modified championship with Joe Starkey before moving on to Gene Nearburg of Dallas, Texas. By the end of its racing career, 003 had survived with its frame intact, most of the original suspension, rear axle and the 1963 Sebring FIA bodywork. Now restored as it won the 19962 Road America 500, Jim Hall's second Chaparral has returned to the track after a 40-year absence.
The story of the Chaparral actually begins years before the first model would ever be created, for, in reality, the first model would be fashioned and named Scarab. But though the Chaparral legend begins with Scarab, Jiim Hall's cars would certainly make a name for themselves that would live in even greater recollection than its predecessor.
Being a Woolworth heir, Lance Reventlow would have the resources to go racing. However, he wouldn't just have the means to go racing. He would have enough to build cars to his own liking. He just needed to find the right people capable of building him the car he always dreamed of.
To achieve his aim, Reventlow would be on the lookout for the best designers and builders. This would lead him to hire Dick Troutman and Tom Barnes who had originally worked for Kurtis.
Setting up shop in North Hollywood, California, Reventlow Automobiles would soon produce Lance's first model sports cars. The name of the cars would come from a beetle native to Egypt—Scarab.
The early editions of the Scarabs would be quite successful. Jim Hall's family had made their money in the oil business and this enabled their son to find his way into racing. Starting out in 1954, Hall would take part in races, but would also help fund Carroll Shelby's ventures as well.
Hall would end up taking part in Formula One racing in the 1960 United States Grand Prix. About that same time, he would meet Troutman and Barnes. Troutman and Barnes's success with the Scarab sportscar enticed them to offer their services to others willing to invest in them. The idea they were pitching was practically copies of the Scarab.
Hall would become interested and would end up forming a deal with the two. So, Troutman and Barnes set to work creating their updated version of the Scarab. Just like that, the very first Chaparral would be born.
Troutman and Barnes would have Church Pelly design the body of the car. He would take the Scarab design and use that as his benchmark. He would then make changes to the design along the way. The benefit of time and experience meant the first Chaparral would include such evolutions as a lighter but stiffer chassis and an independent rear suspension. However, the differences wouldn't stop there. The new Chaparral would make use of Girling disc brakes, and the independent suspension would be entirely adjustable. Design changes would include the loss of the headrest design that had been sported by the Scarab. While not utilizing a Kamm-like tail, the end result, the Chaparral 1, would bear great similarity to the Scarab and the Maserati Birdcage.
The first of what was initially to be just two chassis would debut at Laguna Seca in 1961. Chassis 001 would be entered with Jim Hall driving. It would be a fairytale start as Hall would go on to finish the race in 2nd place and 1st in class. This fast start would then be followed up with a 3rd place at Riverside. Then, at the preliminary Governor's Trophy race in Nassau, Hall would earn another 2nd place.
As a result of the on-track success, Hall would have little trouble finding a backer to help finance the new Chaparral Cars. And, with that, Hall looked forward to his first season as a team owner.
Troutman and Barnes had initially agreed to build two examples for Hall. Chassis 002 would actually be sold to Harry Heuer. Therefore, Troutman and Barnes would set to work building chassis 003, the second car for Chaparral Cars.
Chassis 003 would find its first test to be a very difficult one. Entered in the 12 Hours of Sebring with James Sharp and Ron Hissom as its drivers, chassis 003 would prove to be the bullet-proof horse in Chaparral's stable and would end up finishing 1st in its class and 6th overall. A 1st place in its very first race was certainly a very special achievement. However, achieving that success in a race like the 12 Hours of Sebring meant something entirely different.
Chassis 003 would prove itself later on that year as it would come up through the field after starting 7th on the grid to finish the race 1st at Road America. Jim Hall had come over to drive 003 at Sebring after his car failed. At Road America, Hall would start the race at the wheel of 003 and would share the drive with Sharp.
By 1963, the Chaparral 1 was beginning to show its weaknesses. The car was a solid design powered by an impressive 442bhp Chevrolet V-8 with no less than six Stromberg carburetors. However, the car was a front-engined car, and the way of the future was having an engine at the back.
Following a very early retirement in the 1963 12 Hours of Sebring, Chaparral Cars would hurry the development of its first rear-engined car. Once ready, chassis 001 and 003 would be sold, the only time during Chaparral Cars' existence when any such thing would be done.
Chassis 003 would be purchased by Gary Wilson of Kansas. Wilson would compete with the car right up through 1964 having a best result of 8th place at Greenwood. At the end of the season, the car would be sold to Joe Starkey. Competing in the C-Modified Championship in 1965, Starkey would earn 1st place at the SCCA Nationals at Lake Charles and then at Kingsville in late June. The season would be capped-off with a 2nd place at Fort Sumner in October. The racing career of the 1961 Chaparral 1, chassis 003, would be at an end.
Chassis 003 wouldn't really appear again until 1973 when it was purchased, in rather bad shape, by Dr. Gary Lund. The car had found a home as it would stay with Lund for more than 20 years. Technically, Lund would sell the car after about 15 years. However, Steve Schultz would only become a partial owner of the car. He would gain partial possession of the car in return for his services as a restorer.
Schultz would set to work steadily bringing chassis 003 back to its former glory. It would require a lot of research, including investigations as to the building techniques of Troutman and Barnes. The work would take a decade, but it would include practically every detail. The car would be returned to the state in which it existed before Hall began revisions over the course of the '63 season. The work would be completed in 1997 and would appear at many concours events.
Skip Barber, the founder of the driving school, would be taken by the restoration work and would end up purchasing the car in 2001. Barber would purchase the car just in time to be able to make it to Road America to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the car's incredible win. There at the special event would be Jim Hall. It would be a special moment as 003, Hall and a couple of his other legendary cars would all be present.
The Chaparral would remain with Barber until 2004 when it would be sold to its current owner. At this time, 003 would begin a whole new racing career. Taking part in a number of historic races, 003 would be a constant contender. The car would start the 2005 Monterey Historics race from pole and would go on to finish in 2nd place.
Then, in 2006, the 1961 Chaparral would make a trip across the Atlantic to England. The destination was Goodwood and its Revival. There at Goodwood, 003 would start the race from 8th place and would go on to finish 10th.
Upon its return to the United States 003 would be retired from racing and is just admired for its looks and legend. Considered one of the cars that would start the Chaparral legend, chassis 003 would have to be regarded as a truly special car given its class victory at Sebring in its very first race, and the fact that it is just one of two Chaparral 1s in existence.
The 1961 Chaparral 1, chassis 003, would be offered for sale at the 2014 RM Auctions Scottsdale auction. Still presented in its original look, the Chaparral was drawing pre-auction estimates of between $2,250,000 and $2,750,000.
Sources:
'1958 Scarab Sports Roadster News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9029/Scarab-Sports-Roadster.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9029/Scarab-Sports-Roadster.aspx. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Drivers: Jim Hall', (http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-haljim.html). GrandPrix.com. http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-haljim.html. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Chaparral Cars, Midland, Texas', (http://www.chaparralcars.com/index.php). Chaparral: The Official Chaparral Website. http://www.chaparralcars.com/index.php. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Lot No. 107: 1961 Chaparral 1', (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063982). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063982. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Scarab Mk I Chevrolet', (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/txt/3770/2/Scarab-Mk-I-Chevrolet.html). Ultimatecarpage.com: Powered by Knowledge, Driven by Passion. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/txt/3770/2/Scarab-Mk-I-Chevrolet.html. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Chaparral 1 Chevrolet', (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2433/Chaparral-1-Chevrolet.html). Ultimatecarpage.com: Powered by Knowledge, Driven by Passion. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2433/Chaparral-1-Chevrolet.html. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Scarab (constructor)', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 1 November 2013, 12:25 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scarab_(constructor)&oldid=579731081 accessed 13 January 2014
By Jeremy McMullen
Being a Woolworth heir, Lance Reventlow would have the resources to go racing. However, he wouldn't just have the means to go racing. He would have enough to build cars to his own liking. He just needed to find the right people capable of building him the car he always dreamed of.
To achieve his aim, Reventlow would be on the lookout for the best designers and builders. This would lead him to hire Dick Troutman and Tom Barnes who had originally worked for Kurtis.
Setting up shop in North Hollywood, California, Reventlow Automobiles would soon produce Lance's first model sports cars. The name of the cars would come from a beetle native to Egypt—Scarab.
The early editions of the Scarabs would be quite successful. Jim Hall's family had made their money in the oil business and this enabled their son to find his way into racing. Starting out in 1954, Hall would take part in races, but would also help fund Carroll Shelby's ventures as well.
Hall would end up taking part in Formula One racing in the 1960 United States Grand Prix. About that same time, he would meet Troutman and Barnes. Troutman and Barnes's success with the Scarab sportscar enticed them to offer their services to others willing to invest in them. The idea they were pitching was practically copies of the Scarab.
Hall would become interested and would end up forming a deal with the two. So, Troutman and Barnes set to work creating their updated version of the Scarab. Just like that, the very first Chaparral would be born.
Troutman and Barnes would have Church Pelly design the body of the car. He would take the Scarab design and use that as his benchmark. He would then make changes to the design along the way. The benefit of time and experience meant the first Chaparral would include such evolutions as a lighter but stiffer chassis and an independent rear suspension. However, the differences wouldn't stop there. The new Chaparral would make use of Girling disc brakes, and the independent suspension would be entirely adjustable. Design changes would include the loss of the headrest design that had been sported by the Scarab. While not utilizing a Kamm-like tail, the end result, the Chaparral 1, would bear great similarity to the Scarab and the Maserati Birdcage.
The first of what was initially to be just two chassis would debut at Laguna Seca in 1961. Chassis 001 would be entered with Jim Hall driving. It would be a fairytale start as Hall would go on to finish the race in 2nd place and 1st in class. This fast start would then be followed up with a 3rd place at Riverside. Then, at the preliminary Governor's Trophy race in Nassau, Hall would earn another 2nd place.
As a result of the on-track success, Hall would have little trouble finding a backer to help finance the new Chaparral Cars. And, with that, Hall looked forward to his first season as a team owner.
Troutman and Barnes had initially agreed to build two examples for Hall. Chassis 002 would actually be sold to Harry Heuer. Therefore, Troutman and Barnes would set to work building chassis 003, the second car for Chaparral Cars.
Chassis 003 would find its first test to be a very difficult one. Entered in the 12 Hours of Sebring with James Sharp and Ron Hissom as its drivers, chassis 003 would prove to be the bullet-proof horse in Chaparral's stable and would end up finishing 1st in its class and 6th overall. A 1st place in its very first race was certainly a very special achievement. However, achieving that success in a race like the 12 Hours of Sebring meant something entirely different.
Chassis 003 would prove itself later on that year as it would come up through the field after starting 7th on the grid to finish the race 1st at Road America. Jim Hall had come over to drive 003 at Sebring after his car failed. At Road America, Hall would start the race at the wheel of 003 and would share the drive with Sharp.
By 1963, the Chaparral 1 was beginning to show its weaknesses. The car was a solid design powered by an impressive 442bhp Chevrolet V-8 with no less than six Stromberg carburetors. However, the car was a front-engined car, and the way of the future was having an engine at the back.
Following a very early retirement in the 1963 12 Hours of Sebring, Chaparral Cars would hurry the development of its first rear-engined car. Once ready, chassis 001 and 003 would be sold, the only time during Chaparral Cars' existence when any such thing would be done.
Chassis 003 would be purchased by Gary Wilson of Kansas. Wilson would compete with the car right up through 1964 having a best result of 8th place at Greenwood. At the end of the season, the car would be sold to Joe Starkey. Competing in the C-Modified Championship in 1965, Starkey would earn 1st place at the SCCA Nationals at Lake Charles and then at Kingsville in late June. The season would be capped-off with a 2nd place at Fort Sumner in October. The racing career of the 1961 Chaparral 1, chassis 003, would be at an end.
Chassis 003 wouldn't really appear again until 1973 when it was purchased, in rather bad shape, by Dr. Gary Lund. The car had found a home as it would stay with Lund for more than 20 years. Technically, Lund would sell the car after about 15 years. However, Steve Schultz would only become a partial owner of the car. He would gain partial possession of the car in return for his services as a restorer.
Schultz would set to work steadily bringing chassis 003 back to its former glory. It would require a lot of research, including investigations as to the building techniques of Troutman and Barnes. The work would take a decade, but it would include practically every detail. The car would be returned to the state in which it existed before Hall began revisions over the course of the '63 season. The work would be completed in 1997 and would appear at many concours events.
Skip Barber, the founder of the driving school, would be taken by the restoration work and would end up purchasing the car in 2001. Barber would purchase the car just in time to be able to make it to Road America to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the car's incredible win. There at the special event would be Jim Hall. It would be a special moment as 003, Hall and a couple of his other legendary cars would all be present.
The Chaparral would remain with Barber until 2004 when it would be sold to its current owner. At this time, 003 would begin a whole new racing career. Taking part in a number of historic races, 003 would be a constant contender. The car would start the 2005 Monterey Historics race from pole and would go on to finish in 2nd place.
Then, in 2006, the 1961 Chaparral would make a trip across the Atlantic to England. The destination was Goodwood and its Revival. There at Goodwood, 003 would start the race from 8th place and would go on to finish 10th.
Upon its return to the United States 003 would be retired from racing and is just admired for its looks and legend. Considered one of the cars that would start the Chaparral legend, chassis 003 would have to be regarded as a truly special car given its class victory at Sebring in its very first race, and the fact that it is just one of two Chaparral 1s in existence.
The 1961 Chaparral 1, chassis 003, would be offered for sale at the 2014 RM Auctions Scottsdale auction. Still presented in its original look, the Chaparral was drawing pre-auction estimates of between $2,250,000 and $2,750,000.
Sources:
'1958 Scarab Sports Roadster News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9029/Scarab-Sports-Roadster.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9029/Scarab-Sports-Roadster.aspx. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Drivers: Jim Hall', (http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-haljim.html). GrandPrix.com. http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-haljim.html. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Chaparral Cars, Midland, Texas', (http://www.chaparralcars.com/index.php). Chaparral: The Official Chaparral Website. http://www.chaparralcars.com/index.php. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Lot No. 107: 1961 Chaparral 1', (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063982). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063982. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Scarab Mk I Chevrolet', (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/txt/3770/2/Scarab-Mk-I-Chevrolet.html). Ultimatecarpage.com: Powered by Knowledge, Driven by Passion. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/txt/3770/2/Scarab-Mk-I-Chevrolet.html. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
'Chaparral 1 Chevrolet', (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2433/Chaparral-1-Chevrolet.html). Ultimatecarpage.com: Powered by Knowledge, Driven by Passion. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2433/Chaparral-1-Chevrolet.html. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Scarab (constructor)', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 1 November 2013, 12:25 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scarab_(constructor)&oldid=579731081 accessed 13 January 2014
By Jeremy McMullen
2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,500,000
Sale Price :
USD $975,000
2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $1,750,000
2004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,300,000-USD $1,800,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,111,000
1961 Chaparral 1 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Chaparral 1
(Data based on Model Year 1961 sales)
| 1961 Chaparral Mk 1 Chassis#: 003 Sold for USD$975,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach |   |
| 1961 Chaparral 1 Prototype Chassis#: 001 Sold for USD$1,400,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey |   |
| 1961 Chaparral 1 Sports Racing Car Chassis#: 003 Sold for USD$1,111,000 2004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | |
Chaparral 1s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1961 Chaparral 1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 Chaparral 1 | 003 | 2014 RM Auctions Automobiles of Arizona | $1,750,000 |
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1961 Chaparral 1
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
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• Other Chaparral 1 model years
