Chaparral 2D

In 1966, Chaparral debuted the enclosed version of the Chaparral 2 for the World Manufacturers’ Championship races – such as Daytona, Sebring, and the famous 24 hours of Le Mans in France. While finishing only one race in 1966; the 2D won the 1,000 kilometer race at Nurburgring, Germany; a race many consider to be the most difficult endurance event in the world.

Chaparral 2D during monthly live-drive at the Petroleum Museum

The car’s semi-monocoque fiberglass structure pioneered light weight, strong cars that were easy to build and modify. Chaparral cars also experimented with a variety of surface shapes on the 2D that took advantage of the airflow. This early work hinted at the major aerodynamic innovations that Chaparral would develop on its later cars. The 2D’s “automatic” transmission helped ease driver fatigue and saved drive train wear. Left foot breaking allowed the driver to have better control in entry and cornering.

“We basically re-bodied our Chaparral 2 chassis with a coup body and used our proven 327-cubic-inch aluminum block engine in addition to the closed cockpit; we cleaned up the aerodynamics drag for increased top speed on high-speed circuits.”
-Jim Hall, on Chaparral 2D

Engine: Chevrolet aluminum small-block 327-cubic-inch V-8
Horsepower: 420 at 6,500 rpm
Carburetion: 4x twin-throat Weber
Transmission: 2-speed Chaparral “automatic”
Bodywork: Fiberglass one-piece front and rear; gull-wing doors; streamlined wheel fairings

Cooling: Front-mounted Corvette aluminum radiator; oil cooler and air intake in rear
Aerodynamics: Daytona, 1966, Chaparral 2C-type two position flap; Sebring 1966, fixed rear spoiler and flush rear window; Nurburgring, “snorkel” intake and taller rear spoiler
Chassis: Fiberglass semi-monocoque derived from Chaparral 2

Wheels: Chaparral spoked two-piece cast magnesium; 15-inch diameter with six-bolt mounting, eight clamping bolts
Tires: Front 9.20 x 15, rear 12.00 x 15; Firestone
Brakes: Solid disks, Girling calipers

Suspension: Front: double wishbone with coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, forged uprights;
Rear: twin training arms, reverse lower A-arms, single top links, coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, cast uprights