Description

This is known as a Mini Chaparral or a SPI Race Car.

This car was built by Andy Green and William Gillespie. William Gillespie actually raced this car. We are currently researching the race history and will post more details as well uncover the history of this rare car.

William Gillespie was the person that designed the Allsport offroad trike for Allsport Inc of Norwalk Ohio. This was around the year 1975.

Click here some info on the All Sport trike on our sister site 3-Wheelers.com

Andy Green & William Gillespie worked with Jim Hall on the Hall Chaparral. It is said that it was Andy's & William's technology in reinforced plastics that was used the Chaparrals of the 1960s.

13 Mini- Chaparrals chassis were made and sold by Structural Plastics Incorporated to complete in SCCA H-Class in the mid 1960’s. This Mini-Chaparral, utilizing a Norton motorcycle engine, was personally constructed and raced by William Gillespie, proprietor, SPI. Mr. Gillespie was contracted to assist in the construction of the original Hall Chaparral. Truth be known, the Mini-Chaparral seats were pulled from the Hall Chaparral seat molds. The same composite chassis tub technology that enabled the Hall Chaparral outperform all of its competitors was also the secret of the mini-chaparral. This smaller full race vehicle, developed specifically for SCCA H-class competition, most often utilized the Norton 750 motorcycle engine and transmission where as the Hall Chaparral utilized a Highly Modified Chevrolet V-8 engine clandestinely furnished by General Motors .

The Mini-Chaparral had two flaws: totally neutral steering and a center of gravity about at the ear level of the driver. The neutral steering leads to all four tires breaking loose at the same time with a tendency to send the vehicle off of the track. It’s center of gravity prevented all but the most skill and experienced drivers from sensing the breaking loose of all four tires at the same time and compensating to prevent the vehicle from sliding off the track.

This last know Mini-Chaparral was actually driven by A.J. Foyt at Warbonnet Raceway outside side of Manford, Oklahoma in the 1960s. Mr. Foyt saw the unique vehicle in the pit area and asked Mr. Gillespie if he could take the car for a spin. Mr Foyt piloted the Mini-Chaparral around the Warbonnet Road Course at an extremely high rate of speed finishing the course without spinning out or being ejected from the track. Upon exiting the vehicle, A.J.Foyt stood staring at the Mini-Chaparral and was heard saying “That’s a man’s car,”

Click here for more pictures

Click here info on the Spi Tri Mk III that William Gillespie built. This vehicle is also now part of the collection of Harry Kraemer's rare vehicles

Here are a few pictures of a blue Chaparral that was built by Structural Plastics Inc.