A
superb and rare photo of three Scarab
F1 cars during before a Formula
One Grand Prix.
Scarab
was an all-American open-wheel race car and sports car constructor from the USA
featuring cars designed and built by Tom Barnes and Dick Troutman for Reventlow
Automobiles Inc, owned by Lance Reventlow. The chevrolet engines were built by
Traco Engineering (Jim Travers and Frank Coons). Nicknamed "The Rich
Kids", builders of the famous consecutive winning Indianapolis
500 race cars driven by famed driver Bill Vukovich. And the highly publized
winning Ford T-birds at Daytona in the late fifties. Troutman and Barnes was
most successful building sports cars for amateur road racing in the USA
in the 1950s. Chuck Daigh drove the Scarab sports car to victory in the 1958
Riverside International Grand Prix, beating a field of international factory
teams including famous race car driver Phil Hill and the Ferrari Team. Carroll
Shelby drove the Scarab sports car to victory at the Continental Divide raceway
in Castle Rock Colorado setting a new course record. Scarab made an ill-fated
entry into Formula One during the 1960 season with front-engined cars, which by
then, were nearly obsolete. The engines in these front engine cars were 4 cylinder
units similar in layout to the Offenhauser, but entirely of Scarab's own
design. They featured Desmodromic valve gear similar in design to that found on
the Mercedes engine of the period and were built and maintained by Chuck Daigh.
The engines were the achilles heel of the team as the Desmo gear could not cope
with the large amount of movement in the engine block and would reliably pull
the valves closed too far resulting in failure. Scarab participated in five
Grands Prix, entering a total of nine cars. Reventlow was joined by his
engineer Chuck Daigh in piloting the blue and white liveried cars. Both Scarabs
were entered in the Grands Prix of Monaco, Holland, Belgium
(SEE PHOTO!!!!), and France, while only Daigh's car was entered in the American Grand Prix. It
should be noted that Daigh, while entered in the Dutch Grand Prix, did not race
due to payment issues. The following year Chuck Daigh went on to pilot one of
the Scarabs in International Formula racing in Europe where he finished
eighth, at Goodwood vying for the Lavant Cup, and finished seventh in a bid for
the International Trophy. A rear-engined single-seater car was built, but never
raced in a Formula One event, it ran once in Formula Libre race at Sandown Park
in Australia with a Buick V8 engine.
This
is a very nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Formula One
- F1 - and Scarab history in a wonderful way.
This is your rare chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed
in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.