Chevron [1] (United Kingdom)

Chevron was a British manufacturer of racing cars, founded by A.D. Bennett & Co. Ltd in Saltford, Lancashire. The brand emerged in the 1960s, primarily driven by the efforts of Derek Bennett, a former midget car racer who gained recognition on speedway tracks in northern England. Bennett initially constructed several Bennett Specials for various racing formulae, including the 750 and 1172 formulae, as well as Formula Junior, while also preparing cars for other racers.

Chevron's breakthrough came in 1965 with the introduction of the Chevron B1, a Clubmans car powered by a Ford 1500cc engine. Although only two units were produced, the B1 achieved significant success in racing. The designation 'B' is often mistakenly attributed to Bennett himself; however, it actually honored John Bridges, a supporter of Bennett who entered cars under the name 'Red Rose Motors.' The following year, Chevron expanded its production with the B2 Clubmans car and introduced its first mid-engine GT, the Chevron B3, which featured a 1598cc twin-cam Ford engine. The B3 was notable for its robust construction, utilizing a fully triangulated spaceframe and a sleek fiberglass body that became a hallmark of Chevron's design.

Over the next few years, Chevron continued to develop its GT concept with models such as the B4, B5, and B6, each showcasing various engine configurations and achieving immediate racing success. By the time the B8 was launched in 1968, Chevron had produced only 18 cars, but the B8 quickly established itself as a successful competitor in Group 4 racing, with 44 units manufactured, predominantly featuring BMW engines. Within five years, Chevron had evolved from a small manufacturer to a significant player in motorsport, competing in Formula Three, Formula B (Atlantic), and Formula Two, while also introducing the B16 in both GT and Spyder versions.

The company faced a decline following the tragic death of Derek Bennett in a hang gliding accident in March 1978. His sisters, who inherited his shares, were unable or unwilling to provide the necessary investment to sustain the business. Consequently, Chevron's name changed hands multiple times, primarily for the purpose of producing spare parts, although there were occasional attempts to revive the brand in motorsport. In recent years, the current owner of the Chevron name developed a prototype B8R, equipped with a 2-litre Warrior engine and an Alfa Romeo transaxle, capable of exceeding 150 mph, but plans for its production were ultimately abandoned.