#506 SCALEXTRIC – CHAPARRAL (Ref. C-40 or 4040) (1969)

This is one of the oldest Scalextric models designed and manufactured in Spain. It was sold from 1969 on, and represented a rather strange American model (Chaparral 2E is the “complete” name) which raced in 1966. Its pilot was Jim Hall, who also founded the Chaparral Racing team (together with Hap Sharp) and who also drove a Lotus in the F1 championships from 1960 to 1962.

The real car had a huge wing that could be controlled by the pilot, making it flat in straights and curving it when more grip is needed. This feature made the Chaparral 2x models revolutionary and also very interesting for the people to see its races. Unfortunately, this types of wings were later banned because of the accidents its malfunction caused.

The design team at Scalextric were probably attracted by that huge wing, and thought it would be a very attractive car to add to the line. The car was made in four colours: white, green, yellow and red, although there are two shades of red.

The car is fun to drive, since it has a very low gravity center, and it’s rather fast. On the other side, the wing is very fragile, and it’s very often broken or missing.

I was lucky to find one green sample of these still boxed, and bought it, although I also own a white one (unfortunately without the spoiler, yet) and the “Vintage” version from 1997, also in white and decorated with the RN 66, as the real Chaparral driven by Jim Hall.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Name: CHAPARRAL 2E (Ref. C-40 or 4040)
• Scale: 1:32
• Year: 1969
• Company: Scalextric Exin (Spain)
• Size: approx. 13 cm