Chevron B53 history
Gary Gibson in the new Chevron B53 at Ingliston in May 1981. Copyright Ted Walker 2024. Used with permission.
Built for Formula Atlantic in 1981, the Chevron B53 was based on the preceding Chevron B48/B49 series but with revised sidepods. Only one was built.
After the collapse of Chevron in early 1980, the assets were acquired by Robin Smith in Newmains, Scotland, and the company reconstituted as Chevron Racing Cars (Scotland) Limited. Apart from the Can-Am Chevron B51 that had triggered Chevron's collapse, the other designs planned for 1980 were the B52 for Sports 2000, B53 for Formula 3, B54 for Formula Atlantic and B56 for Formula Super Vee. The only one of these that had progressed far enough to be taken forward by Smith was the B52 Sports 2000 car, and that debuted in August 1980. For 1981, Smith produced a new Formula Atlantic design, which took over the number B53, using a Chevron B48/Chevron B49 monocoque. There were no takers for the British series, but the prototype was sold to Gary Gibson in Northern Ireland and raced in the Irish Formula Atlantic series for a couple of seasons.
A completely new Chevron B56 design was produced by Smith for 1982, and Gibson moved to that car. The B53 went hillclimbing in Ireland before returning to England a few years later. It must still be out there somewhere, unless somebody has decided it would make more sense to restore it as a B48 or B49 for historic racing.
If you can add to our understanding of these cars, or have photographs that we can use, please email Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com.
Built by the new Scottish-based Chevron company for 1981 for Gary Gibson (Belfast, Northern Ireland) to race in the Irish Formula Atlantic series, and often called a "McChevron". Apparantly debuted in a libre at Ingliston on 17 May, then raced in the Irish series, winning at Kirkistown on 27 July. The car was also raced by P J Fallon in the final race of the season. Retained by Gibson for 1982 and again raced in the Irish series, winning at Mondello Park in April. Later that season, Robin Smith produced the Chevron B56 for Gibson, and the Irishman moved to that car for 1983. The B53 was later sold to Robert McGimpsey (Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland) who fitted a 2-litre Cosworth BDE or BDG engine, turbocharged at some stage, and raced the car in Irish hillclimbs in 1987. It was then acquired by Chevron enthusiast John McCartney (Horwich, Lancashire) for British hillclimbs in 1988, 1989 and 1990. Subsequent history unknown.
Driven by: Gary Gibson, P J Fallon and Robert McGimpsey. First race: Ingliston (R3), 17 May 1981. Total of 15 recorded races.
If you can add to our understanding of these cars, or have photographs that we can use, please email Allen at allen@oldracingcars.com.
These histories last updated on .