Herbert M�ller � N�rburgring 1971

At the 2007 Mosport Vintage Racing Festival, I had to honour of meeting Peter Felder, who was Swiss driver Herbert M�ller�s best friend and race team manager. We�ve been friends ever since, and Peter has come to visit me a few times in Nova Scotia. Peter�s stories of his racing experiences are completely captivating; he was kind enough to write one of these down for me:

In 1971, Herbie decided to run one of his Ferrari 512 M�s in an InterSeries race at the N�rburgring. (Unfortunately, Pedro Rodriguez perished in one of his 512�s at the Norisring a few months earlier). In any case, Herbie had transmission problems in qualifying and subsequently started last. At the start, the last rows were still in the last corner before the start-finish line. A young, wealthy German driver in a McLaren M8C, not being used to the torque of a 427, he spun coming on to the starting straight, in the process crashing into Herbie�s 512. The red 512 became airborne, flew across the track upside down and hit the pit lane guardrail; the guardrail sliced into the car right behind the driver seat, which caused an immediate explosion. The car landed in the pit lane, still upside down and fully engulfed in burning fuel.

The following is what Herbie told me afterwards in the hospital:

�There was a tremendous crash � I knew that I was flying through the air because I saw the blue sky behind the pits � and I knew that the car was on fire...and I though �This is not going to be good�. I braced myself waiting for some kind of impact, which is what happened � twice! All I was worried about was not to hit my head anywhere � then the car came to a stop � and I immediately release my seatbelt and since I didn�t know that I landed upside down, I fell into the burning fuel. I turned myself around � tried to kick open the door � no go � considered knocking out the windshield � didn�t work � so I tried the other door � and it opened enough for me to get through � and I knew that I was on fire � tried to figure out where to run � (and here comes the kicker) you know those Germans � I remember seeing a couple of fancy Mercedes cars on display next to the tower, so I thought � if I run towards the cars, somebody will try to save me so I don�t blow up the Mercs!�

Herbie and I had a lot of laughs about this whole ordeal.

Regrettably I was with him on May 24^th 1981, or ten years later, at the same track, when he crashed into Bobby Rahal�s crashed, stationary, Coca Cola sponsored, Bob Aiken owned 935.

Later that day I went to the Adenau hospital � but this time, we could not laugh together.

Scuderia Ferrari - Spanish Grand Prix 1971

In the squeaky-clean, high-security paddocks of todays Formula 1 teams, it's easy to forget that it wasn't always so ...
While preparing the Ferrari 312B's of Scuderia Ferrari at the 1971 Spanish Grand Prix, the race car technicians were working in a dirt paddock, open to the elements, and the occasional curious local.

Pen&ink and markers on watercolour paper 12"x 9" (30.5cm x 22.9cm) � Paul Chenard 2010

Limited editions are available.

The car in the foreground was Belgian driver Jacky Ickx's mount, in which he finished in second place behind Sir Jackie Stewart driving a Tyrrell-Ford.

Monte Carlo Rallye tin toy - Part II

In late 2008, the Welby Toy Company of India found my blog, saw my illustration of the 1971 Monte Carlo Rallye, and that I was a graphic designer who collected vintage racing toys.


Prismacolor pencils on black archival stock 19"x 13.5" 
� Paul Chenard 2008
This print is available as limited signed/numbered edition of 15 (14.5''x 11'') premium archival Giclee prints for $115 USD each plus shipping. The original sketch is also available.


They asked me if I would like to design the packaging for a new re-creation windup tin racing toy they were going to produce. I, of course, said yes to such a special opportunity.


I used my illustration, and designed the packaging to their specifications. Once I had approval, I sent the digital files to Welby for printing. The story was written up last year in Design Edge magazine; you can read that feature here.






















The toy has finally been produced, and Welby was kind enough to ship two examples to me. Wow! What a stunningly beautiful tin windup! They say it's a reproduction of a 1940 German toy made by Arnold, but the charming toy graphics indicate more 1958-60. Welby has done a beautiful job of it, and it works very very well.


You can never have too many toys!

1971 McLaren M8F Team cars unpublished photo �

Jennifer Revson�s stories on her brother Peter�s 1971 Can-Am Championship-winning McLaren M8F has generated enormous interest and support from the world over. Many have also sent information that confirms Jennifer�s expos�.

Mr. Barry C. Smyth sent along a very interesting photo from back in the day. He was Gulf Oil Corporation's Motor Sports Sponsorship Public Relations representative until the company ceased all US racing involvement in 1973. After that he ran their various Corporate Advertising Programs.

Here is his note:

Jennifer,

Per our conversation of 4/17/2010, attached is the B and W photo of the 1971 McLaren team shot at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. As you can see your brother, Peter along with his team mate Denny Hulme are posed standing in their cars #7 and #5, respectively. Each car's mechanics stand behind their car. The Gulf Oil PR/McLaren Team coach is in the background.

This photo was taken at my request to be used as potential promotional material. We never used it. To the best of my knowledge this is the only copy.

As you can see, as mentioned in one of the recent disclaimer articles, there are marked differences between the cars. No. 7 has a much smaller air intake opening than no. 5. That could reflect the different driving styles of Peter and Denny. Also, you'll notice the air ducks at the rear quarters are different. No. 7 is more a scoop and no. 5 is an aircraft type "no drag" air intake (NACA duct).

The Edmonton event was 3rd to the last in the '71 CAN AM Series, Laguna Seca and Riverside the last respectively. The only changes to the cars in the last two races were slightly wider rear wheels.

Barry C. Smyth

The McLaren M8F that never was ... follow-up!

More background from my friend Jennifer Revson.

Since reporting on Peter�s (Revson) replica McLaren M8F team car, I�ve received a windfall of support and information from all over the world. It�s as if an invitation to a party went out, and an army consisting of motoring journalists, historians, vintage racers, engineers, mechanics, car collectors and race enthusiasts showed up at my door, rang the bell, handed me lovely gifts and exclaimed: �Surprise!� Some were friends, others were friends of friends, but all were genuinely interested in helping me as much as they could. What began as a personal responsibility to straighten out the confusion and unseemly misrepresentation of one of my brother�s more important rides, has instantly transformed into a broader theme which I hope will benefit others.

Peter Revson in 1972 Paul Chenard Collection 

Among the tremendous amount of data that came to me, were close-up photographs identifying distinguishing features between Peter�s and Denny�s (Hulme) team cars, team cars and customer cars, and a fully documented ownership history, with relevant details, from the time the car left McLaren to the present.

Peter's McLaren M8F Painting by Hector Cademartori

The quickest way for a novice to tell Peter�s car from Denny�s, which I wish I�d remembered last summer at the Monterey Historic Races when the poseur emphatically declared his car to be the real deal, is by the shape of the air box. Peter�s car has a narrower opening with two round holes on either side, while Denny�s is wider and flows into a continuous wing shape. That in itself makes the replica team car a poor copy, since it�s air box favors Denny�s car not Peter�s. But, what really piqued my interest was seeing pictures of the noticeably different rivet sizes and patterns located on the rear bulkhead of the team cars, versus the customer cars. Team cars have pop rivets measuring 5/32� that are staggered 1� apart. Customer cars have 3/16� rivet holes staggered at 2� apart. Like I said, noticeably different. Another picture of interest showed the team�s stainless steel pickup points up front, measuring approximately 3 1/2� x 7� long, which the customer cars did not have.

Assuming the role of chief detective to eliminate this despicable hoax was all consuming, but extremely satisfying. On one especially triumphant day, l actually felt quite giddy. For a solid week, my Mac and I never left each other�s side, save for a quick trip to the store and back. By the eighth day, I�d gathered up all the previously disassociated puzzle pieces that had languished for decades, fitted them back together, and found that the most important people involved came out ahead. A splendid outcome I�d never have achieved without the many friends who came to my aid. My sincerest thanks to all of you for helping me preserve Peter�s Can-Am history.

Denny Hulme & Peter Revson Photo courtesy of Jennifer Revson

As for what appears to be a blatant case of fraud, I�ve notified the true owner of Peter�s Can-Am Championship McLaren M8F and will leave the rest to him. 
Jennifer Revson, sister and legal representative for the estate of the late Peter Revson

The McLaren M8F that never was �

I decided to post the following story from my friend Jennifer Revson.

Recently, while strolling with friends among the beautiful cars displayed at the Amelia Island Concours d��legance, we happened upon a replica of Peter�s (Revson�s) 1971 Can-Am Championship McLaren Team M8F, the same replica that I first saw at the 2009 Monterey Historic races. I turned to my friend, Don Devine, who owns Peter�s McLaren M20, and pole-winning Indy car, and asked why a continuation car, presented as the real one, would be allowed at such a prestigious event? Don�t they check? Don shook his head and said he didn�t know, while another friend, who was showing a car on the Concours said: �They don�t care. It�s all for show.� How disappointing, I thought.

1971 Can-Am Champion Peter Revson
Photo courtesy and � of Jennifer Revson

At the Monterey Historics in August 2009, when I first laid eyes on this wannabe M8F team car, I was told by the owners that it was indeed the real deal. Although it looked different than what I recalled of Peter�s car, I thought that at this renowned event, surely they�d have checked the car�s authenticity in order for it to be invited to participate. And, with that in mind, I put my speculative doubts momentarily aside in favor of being polite. In hindsight, though, I wish I�d been more reticent when asked to pose in the car for pictures. Minutes after leaving their garage, I met up with the first of many over the weekend, who confirmed the car was indeed a fake.

Back at Amelia Island, a former racecar driver was now in the cockpit, revving up the motor, waving and grandstanding to a sizable gathered crowd, posing for pictures with the owners. I couldn�t believe such codswallop! I was so disgusted, I went to a judging official standing nearby, introduced myself, and explained this was not an M8F McLaren Team car, and certainly not a car my brother Peter was ever in, and asked if he would please tell whomever would be judging the car that it was a re-creation. He said he would. At the same time, Don walked over to speak to the owner. When he returned to relate the unbecoming comments, I caught the owner�s wife telling the inquiring judging official something so contemptible, my ears nearly caught on fire. With that, I marched over to the owner to ask what the hell he thought he was doing. Staying true to form, his reply reflected his character. So much for honoring the memory of Peter Revson, one of America�s foremost drivers and his championship winning car.

Peter Revson's winning McLaren M8F
Photo courtesy and � of Larry Fulhorst

The shameful part is that the owner is not only deceptively trading on my brother�s fame in order to be accepted into an elite group of collectors and race enthusiasts, but is also passing a continuation car off as legit while misusing my brother�s name for profit.

There�s a place for �Tribute cars� and re-creations in vintage racing, but let�s maintain respect for the authentic team cars and drivers who made racing history. You can verify that this is a replica Commander Motors-built car, and see its owner history at: World Sports Racing Prototypes � McLaren Can-Am Chassis Numbers (http://wsrp.ic.cz/chassis/chassis_mclaren_canam.html). Scroll halfway down the page, just past the M8FP chart.

Imitation is not always flattering �

Jennifer Revson,
sister and legal representative of the estate of the late Peter Revson
PS There is more on this in The Garage Blog.

Ove Andersson 1938�2008

Prismacolor pencils on black archival stock � Paul Chenard 2008

Sadly, the great Swedish rally driver Ove Andersson, was killed today while taking part in a veteran road car rally in South Africa.

Though he is well known for his work with Toyota Racing, he is also the winner of the 1971 Rallye de Monte Carlo in an Alpine-Renault A110 Berlinette.

This print is available as limited signed/numbered edition of 15 (14.5''x 11'') premium archival Giclee prints for $115 each plus taxes/shipping.

Monte Carlo Rally 1971 - Alpine Renault A110

Prismacolor pencils on black archival stock 19"x 13.5"
� Paul Chenard 2008

Original illustration available for sale.

The Alpine Renault A110 was a very effective rally car, winning the top 3 spots of the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally. The winning car was driven by Ove Andersson with David Stone navigating.

The Alpine Renault A110 also won in 1973, and proceded to take the World Rally Championship crown.