Technology in race cars (16): Chaparral 2E Can-Am from 1966 - High-Decker

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Technology in race cars (16): Chaparral 2E Can-Am from 1966 - High-Decker

Created on April 28, 2022

Text:

Gerhard Schütz

Photos:

Archiv Gerhard Schütz

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John Colley

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Antoine Dellenbach

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - Bird of paradise with futuristic technology

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Chaparral 2G (1967) - Fast, but without victory

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - The front view is somewhat reminiscent of the Maserati Birdcage driven by Jim Hall in the early sixties.

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - On the way to a double victory at Laguna Seca. Jim Hall still leads ahead of Phil Hill.

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This Chaparral 2E has "lost its feathers"

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - Competitor Bruce McLaren takes a very close look.

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - A view of the radiator and air intakes of the Chevy V8 from the top rear

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Chaparral 2G (1967) - with side air intakes à la 2F and fender flares

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - Independent rear suspension with transverse and trailing arms, plus a third trailing arm at the top to stabilize the rear wing supports, which act directly on the steering knuckles.

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - Data acquisition in 1966: The devices (magnetic tape recording) are in the passenger seat.

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - The side inlets are used for brake ventilation.

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - The front flap opens automatically when the rear wing is set to downforce.

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013

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Chaparral 2E (1966) - Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018

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Chaparral 2D (1966) - Jim Hall in Chaparral 2D #11 immediately overtakes Tom's Shelby Cobra (12 Hours of Sebring 1966)

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Summary

In 1966, it was Chaparral, not Red Bull, that gave it wings. In that year, the Texan racing car manufacturer unleashed the Can-Am 2E onto North America's race tracks. The experimental team led by engineer and racing driver Jim Hall had already caused a stir with the predecessor models 2A to 2C, but the automotive alchemists literally went one better with the 2E. Episode 16 of the series "Technology in a racing car" deals with the Chaparral 2E and shows the winged racing car in many historic pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

The airbenders from Midland, Texas
The 2E, a unique innovative achievement
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
Fragile wing miracle

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The years 1958 to 1978 were the two most creative decades in the history of racing technology. This series portrays the most innovative, pioneering and exotic designs of Formula 1, Indy cars, sports cars and Can-Am, and at the same time traces the major lines of development that still have an impact today. The series started with Lotus, one of the most important innovation drivers of these two decades. And the series will also finish with Lotus: With the first ground-effect Formula 1 to win a world championship in 1978, the Type 79. Alongside Lotus, Chaparral was by far the most innovative racing car manufacturer in the 1960s, particularly in the field of chassis construction and aerodynamics. In addition to the 2A and 2C models , other Chaparral models - the 2F from 1967, the 2H from 1969 and the 2J from 1970 - will be covered in the course of this series, which deals with fundamental innovations.

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