Mystery machine
Sportscar racing just had its mid-engine revolution, which opened many new avenues for creative engineers to exploit
For many racing enthusiasts and engineers alike, the original Can-Am series, which ran between 1966 and 1974, has gained near mythical status. Known officially as the Canadian-American Challenge Cup, the series was run for Group 7 Sportscars and benefited from a sizeable purse provided by Johnson Wax.
The Group 7 regulations stipulated that a car had to have (room for) two seats and feature covered wheels. Sportscar racing just had its mid-engine revolution, which opened many new avenues for creative engineers to exploit. Aerodynamics also became increasingly important. Above all, the engines fitted grew in size and power substantially, which contributed to Can-Am’s appeal.
From an engineering perspective, arguably Can-Am reached its peak in 1970. That was despite newly imposed restrictions by the organisation, such as a ban on moving aerodynamic devices, and the stipulation that an aerodynamic devices could no longer be mounted directly on a suspension component due to safety concerns.
The colourful field boasted, for example, the Chaparral 2J with a snowmobile engine strapped to the back to create a vacuum underneath the car; the Bryant with a full titanium chassis and the Mac’s It Special, which was powered by four two-stroke snowmobile engines. Also on the grid in 1970 was one of the most iconic of all Can-Am cars, the AVS Shadow pictured.
The highly unusual machine was the brainchild of American designer Trevor Harris. Working as
