Hello all,

So my wife and ai did one of my bucket list items last week. We went to the Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas. This museum houses all of Jim Hall’s Chaparral race cars and is quite the place! Jim was the one who essentially invented rear wings and aerodynamic tunnels on race cars.

Chaparrals were very successful back in their day. At first I thought it was because of the aerodynamic superiority resulting from his use of the movable rear wing, or maybe the fans he used on the back of the 2J to create aerodynamic downforce. But then I saw the truth in the body off display of the 2D. The true source of his performance advantage was the use of the Corvair oil cooler! I couldn’t get close enough to tell, but I’ll looks like they used it to cool the transmission oil.

If you ever get the chance, stop by the museum in Midland. It’s a real treat.

Chuck Gee
Carlsbad, CA

1963 Monza 102 - in the family from new - Sold
1966 Corsa 140 Coupe

You have a Keen eye, I would have been too busy lusting over the flowing lines of the Chaparral racer to see the Vair cooler.

I saw a YouTube video where the museum started up a car and drove one outside for some sunshine photo opts.

Impressive, I would love to have seen Jim and Hap in actual combat with McLarens and Lolas in Can Am race.

Anyone here actually attended a Can Am race?

Jimc
1965 Corsa Coupe, two owner history


HACOA Member
CORSA 2017 Concours Senior Gold Award
AACA 2015 Award

jimc Wrote:
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> Anyone here actually attended a Can Am race?

I attended one as a kid but cannot remember when or where.

I'm sure it was the Corvair taillights that made the Ford GT40's so successful also.

Stewart
Waterford, MI
1963 Spyder Coupe
1964 500 Coupe



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2021 06:06PM by samurray3.

I thought there was something else Corvair-related on one of his race cars as well? Was it the taillights (I know the GT40 did)?

'66 Monza coupe
4 speed
140hp
Gardner, KS

Heart of America Corvair Owners Association

Just checked my pics, the cars had Corvair taillights too! I was too busy checking everything else out to notice the taillights.

I believe that’s the 2D, the one with the Corvair oil cooler shown in my pic above.

Attended the Cam-Ams at Laguna Seca, except when in the Army. I attended the USRRC races there, as well, where the Chaparral got it's start! My photo. Taken as they braked for the Corkscrew!

Seth Emerson

Check my new Performance Corvair Web site [www.perfvair.com]

According to my book, Chaparral, Phil's first (top) pic (somewhat cropped) is of a 2D at 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 1966.

Some Corvair/Chaparrel history in Milikins "Race Car Vehicle Dynamics" authored by Frank Winchell, Chevrolet's engineering chief in the 1960s:

Wow, thanks for all the pictures and info. They were my favorite Cam-Am cars of the series. I was too young to go to tracks but I saw them on TV. I saw a piece with Jim Hall taking us through the museum and explaining a lot about the cars. Really interesting stuff. You know your right when others copy you and they ban things from the race!

66RTVair
Oregon
1965 Corsa 140 stock
1966 Monza DP Racecar
1968 Monza Parts for now

Saw the Chaparrals several times at Bridgehampton. Those Can-Am races were the best.

David Malcolm
1969 Monza PG Coupe
NJ near the Meadowlands

I met Mr. Hall at the Goodwood FOS in 2003. He was there with a 2E and a 2F. Here is this lanky dude with Texas hat, nice as can be, spoke to anybody who wanted to meet him all day long. First time trying Amazon photos, here goes:

Didn't work for me.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 116 Corvairs and counting...

forum is not letting me edit so I will try again here, this time pics are in Imgur:

That worked. Why not just upload them to this site? Not using a PC?

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 116 Corvairs and counting...

In the last picture car #1 looks to have taillights from an early '60's wide box Chev pick up.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon