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Iconografix |
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Chaparral Can-Am Racing Cars from Texas by Karl Ludvigsen |
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Reviewed By Doug Hamilton, #21985 |
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MSRP: $24.95 USD To any race fan from the 1960’s the name Chaparral is synonymous with two things, Jim Hall and winning races. Created by the legendary Jim Hall and Hap Sharp the Chaparral’s were strong competitors and cutting edge technology rolled into high tech racecars. Based in Midland Texas, Hall and Sharp started their company to take on the day’s best road racers. History tells us they were very successful. This softbound book of 128 pages is full of high quality pictures, many from Mr. Ludvigsen’s personal library. An interesting forward by Mr. Ludvigsen begins our journey in pictures and accompanying text outlining the development and race history of one of the greatest American produced series of racecars. The forward itself is of interest, as Mr. Ludvigsen was there during this period and witnessed first hand the on-track battles related in the book. Drawing from an extensive personal library, and contributions from a few others this book tells a great story in pictures. Beginning with the prototype Chaparral and continuing with the Chaparral 2, 2D, the revolutionary high-winged 2E, closed cockpit 2F, my personal favorite, and 2G versions are covered. Other versions covered include the seldom seen 2H, the Chaparral McLaren M-12, and perhaps the oddest car to ever take the track, the 2H. The Chaparral 2H was very remarkable from a number of points of view. Powered by a huge Chevy engine, this car had an advanced suction ground effects package that enabled the car to be sucked down to the track. This increased cornering speeds dramatically, and gave the car it’s signature twin extractor fans mounted to the rear of the car. This innovative design proved to be quite an advantage, and was legislated off the track in short time. 1970 saw the Chaparral team prepare and race two Chevy Camaro’s in the Trans Am series. This was due in no small part to the relationship Jim Hall had with the bowtie R&D department. Driver Vic Elford gave the team it’s only win of the season at Watkins Glen. After a brief time in Indy cars, and with only one race win to show for it, the entire Chaparral operation closed its doors, and Jim Hall retired. This is a great book that shows many of the Chaparrals in their natural environment, on the racetrack. There are nice cockpit shots and pictures with the bodywork off, displaying all that wonderful 60’s technology. For anyone interested in the Chaparral, 1960’s racing, or race cars in general, this book fills a nice gap, and I would recommend it. On a similar note, many of the cars shown in this book have been restored, and are on display at the Petroleum Museum in Midland Texas. Also many of these cars are available in model form, most notably in 1/43 scale. My thanks for providing this copy for review go to the publisher Iconografix, the author, Mr. Karl Ludvigsen, and IPMS 1st Vice President John Noack. And mostly to Mr. Jim Hall for creating the cars, and the memories. |
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