Jim Halls chunky Chaparral 2H of 1969 is possibly my favourite race car. Its possibly John Surtees' least favourite race car. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I consider this a pretty car, but it is extreme in every way, which really summarizes the Can-Am itself. I love its Laguna Seca big wing guise the most, although I'm guessing by the fact its not fitted to the restored example, the big wing was never part of Halls plans.
Up to the arrival of the 2H in 1969, Hall had gotten most things right in the Can-Am. His cars weren’t always reliable, and won just a single race in the 5 years they competed in the series. But many of his ground breaking creations did prove successful in their concept and functionality, if not on Halls own cars, then on the cars raced by other teams that had adopted his ideas. It was Halls intention to win races and championships, not be the guinea pig who tested radical concepts for others to benefit from. But in some ways, that’s how the Chaparral Can-Am cars are remembered. In the Can-Am, Jim Hall was the ultimate pioneer.
Hall suffered severe injuries to his legs at the final race of the 1968 season at Las Vegas, when his 2G ran into the back of the slowing Lothar Motschenbacher McLaren, sending the Chaparral skyward. The injuries sustained to Halls legs brought about the decision to place another driver in his car for the ’69 season. This driver was John Surtees, winner of the inaugural Can-Am championship, and World Champion in both cars and on motorbikes.
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