Not just these two icons: the Petroleum Museum in Texas has seven amazing Chaparral racecars in their collection.

These are the Chevrolet-powered racecars that changed the face of racing forever: the ideas and innovations represented by Chaparral in its relatively short run at the top of pro racing are still extremely influential today.

The ideas seem simple – but are near-impossible to deliver in full race-winning form.

Jim Hall’s Ideal Chaparral Racecar:

• Light weight

• + High downforce – with wings attached directly to the suspension versus to the bodywork

• + Huge power via reliable engine

• + Massive grip on long-lasting tire setups

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Equals VICTORY!

None other than Bruce McLaren and Gordon Murray were extremely influenced by Jim Hall and his Chaparral cars — but they also reinvigorate everyone who sees their simple execution in the flesh.

These cars are the rarest of the rare. The only reason they are all together, one might argue, is that the Petroleum Museum is in Hall’s home town of Midland, Texas.

But for car fans, this is a godsend. It means they are not locked away in some collector’s garage, but are open and viewable by the public nearly every day.

And for even more thrills? The Petroleum Museum fires them up monthly for a quick spin around the parking lot, to keep them mechanically fresh. You can schedule your trip around these live action exhibit days to get the full Chaparral experience of a lifetime.

Plan your trip now via the Petroleum Museum’s web site, linked below.

http://petroleummuseum.org/

Official Details below from the Petroleum Museum.

Chaparral Cars on Display

• Chaparral 2H – advanced, integrated composite design

• Chaparral 2J – first-ever ground effects car, nick-named “sucker car”

• Chaparral 2 – first race car designed by Jim Hall which won 22 of its 39 races

• Chaparral 2D – built for endurance races such as 24 Hours of LeMans, Daytona and Sebring

• Chaparral 2E – first Chaparral race car built to carry the high movable wing

• Chaparral 2F – Phil Hill and Mike Spence won the International Championship BOAC 500 with 2F against factory teams of Ford, Ferrari and Porsche