We are delighted to present for sale the ex-Red Rose Racing (works-backed) Chevron B8 (officially titled 'GT'). Chassis CH-DBE-51 is one of five B8s to be originally fitted with the fabled Cosworth FVA engine, and the only example known to still use this engine, thus making it exceptionally rare. Today she is presented in her original livery as she started the 1969 Nürburgring 1000km race. From 1968 to 1970 Chevron’s Bolton factory produced 44 B8s (or, as they were also known, the Chevron GT), 6 short of the official 50 vehicles required for homologation under the Group 4 sportscar regulations. In true Chevron style, the inclusion of some B6 chassis in the count of the 'GT' production run ensured that the B8 met homologation and went on to become one of the most successful and best-loved sports racing cars of its time.

 

The feisty little B8 is famed not only for its speed and success, chalking up 53 wins and a further 47 class wins in period, but also for the pleasure of the driving experience. Designed initially as a clubman’s racing car, the approachable yet precise handling and neutral chassis make these cars a joy to race. Indeed even Sir Stirling Moss, who raced a car in the late 1970s remarked that it was one of the best handling cars he'd ever driven. A true featherweight at a homologated weight of 575kg, the mechanical grip in both wet and dry conditions is truly astonishing.

 

The screaming FVA powerplant, a formula two unit of the day and essentially half of the legendary DFV V8, was dropped into the B8 with the intention of entering the 1600cc class of Group 4, where it would clean up. Today it produces a very healthy 240bhp. Freshly rebuilt and dyno tested by Geoff Richardson Racing Engines, it has been shown to continue finding more power well past the 10,000 rpm mark if fully unleashed. This is well in excess of the power available from the BMW M10 unit found in most B8s.