1977 Chevron B40
The 1977 Chevron B40 (chassis B40-77-05) is a Formula 2 single-seater built by Derek Bennett's Chevron Cars and delivered new to Fred Opert Racing, one of three such factory-supplied cars in that batch. It competed in eleven documented F2 rounds that season, driven primarily by Wink Bancroft, with later outings by Hans Royer and Werner Ruckelshausen. The car subsequently passed through several privateer hands and received a comprehensive rebuild in 2018, remaining race-eligible under a current FIA Historic Technical Passport.
Ownership
- 2026-02-20Auction saleSold £50,000 (≈ $63K)
- 1977 →Factory deliveryFred Opert Racingfull documentation
One of three B40s supplied directly from the Chevron factory to this team; the car made its competition debut at Silverstone in March 1977 under their operation.
- 1978 →Acquisition unknownWerner Ruckelshausenpartial documentation
Campaigned the car in Austrian domestic events during 1978.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownChris Lillington-Pricepartial documentation
One of a series of conscientious privateer owners who maintained and raced the car appropriately in the historic period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Oversaw a full rebuild in 2018 and kept the car in race-ready condition with limited use thereafter.
Competition
- 1977European Formula 2 Championship1977 European F2 Championship roundsDriver: Wink BancroftFailed to qualify in six of twelve starts
Bancroft entered twelve F2 rounds in total over the season, qualifying for only six.
- 1977European Formula 2 Championship1977 European F2 Championship — Donington Park (final round)Driver: Hans Royer
Austrian driver Royer contested the season finale; the car carried Jim Bean sponsorship for this entry.
- 1977-03-06European Formula 2 Championship1977 European F2 Championship — SilverstoneDriver: Wink Bancroft
Season opener; car ran a Hart 420R engine. Bancroft found the transition to European racing difficult.
- 1977-08-01Shellsport G81977 Shellsport G8 — August roundDriver: Wink Bancroft
One of two Shellsport G8 appearances made by Bancroft with this car.
- 1977-09-01Shellsport G81977 Shellsport G8 — September roundDriver: Wink Bancroft
Second Shellsport G8 outing for Bancroft that season.
- 1978Austrian national racing1978 Austrian national eventsDriver: Werner Ruckelshausen
Ruckelshausen used the car in domestic Austrian competition during 1978.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2018RestorationRetro Track & Air
Complete rebuild of the car carried out to a high standard, with only modest use accumulated since completion.
Work performed in Gloucestershire; car holds an MSA/FIA Historic Technical Passport valid to 31 December 2028.
- —Engine rebuildGR Engineering
Full overhaul of the Hart 420 engine; only approximately 350 miles covered since the rebuild was completed.
Work undertaken by specialist Geoff Richardson in Cambridgeshire at a documented cost of £15,815; invoice retained in the car's history file.
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