Description
The 1968 LeGrand MK7 #001 is a tube chassis car based on Red LeGrand’s Formula B car. Designed by engineer/driver Bruce Eglinton and Red LeGrand in LeGrand’s small Hollywood, California shop. Chassis #001 was the first FA/5000 car designed by LeGrand Race Cars and was built in 1967 for the 1968 season. 1968 was the first serious year of national FA/5000 competition, a class that had been started up in 1967. LeGrand Chassis #001 won the first race of the 1968 season out of the box at the Stardust Grand Prix in Las Vegas. It has won many concours and Best of Show awards. This car is in race ready condition.
History
Designed by engineer/driver Bruce Eglinton and Red LeGrand in LeGrand’s small Hollywood, California shop, the Mk7 was the first FA/5000 car designed by LeGrand Race Cars, as 1968 was the first serious year of national FA/5000 competition, a class that had been started up in 1967. Eglinton raced Mk7 #001 at the 1968 Stardust International. It would turn out to be a fruitful endeavor with Eglinton taking home the win, making the Mk7 the first car to win a FA/5000 event in 1968. Mk7 #001 was then sold to Peter Botsford at the 1968 New York Auto Show and repainted in Botsford Racing Enterprises dark blue-and-white livery used on his FB LeGrand cars. BRE ran Mk7 #001 with a 302 cu.in. Chevy and a Hewland LG500 gearbox. Sam Posey qualified first with the car at the 1968 Mosport Continental FA/5000 event, but withdrew after mechanical issues. Peter Revson was drafted into the team for Lime Rock, but suffered a ball joint failure and a magneto that was cutting in-and-out and was forced to withdraw. At Laguna Seca, local driver Barry Blackmore suffered brake problems and had a crash with #001, ending its racing career as well as Botsford’s long-standing relationship with LeGrand. Chassis #001 was stripped and returned to LeGrand Race Cars. In its short 1968 racing career #001 had many prominent drivers - Bruce Eglinton, Lothar Motschenbacher, Bob Betts, Sam Posey, Peter Revson and Barry Blackmore. After the final crash at Laguna Seca the car was stripped and returned to LeGrand Race Cars where it remained in its wrecked condition for many years. In 1996 Mayer Racing purchased the LeGrand and spent four years restoring it from the original blueprints obtained by the Vice President of General Motors South America. Every part of the car was rebuilt to its exact 1968 specifications. The original team’s Chief Mechanic from the 1968 season even went over the car and gave it his approval. In 2014 this car was featured with Sam Posey at Watkins Glen where he spoke at an event featuring #001. He brought the car back to life with stories of his track time in the car and the beginning of Formula 5000.
Recent Competition History
Winner-1968 Stardust Grand Prix, Las Vegas, NV; Pole position (Sam Posey)-1968 Mosport Continental, Mosport ON; Numerous Best in Show awards & Concours winner awards; Two Road & Track awards and voted Road & Track’s “Car Most Wanted to Drive”.
Performance Data
Class: F5000
Weight: 1450 lbs
Engine
Engine Builder: Newman Haas Racing
Manufacturer: Chevy
Type: 302
Displacement: 5000
Horsepower: 425
Induction: Hilborn Fuel Injection
Heads: Chevy Cast Iron Double Humpers
Block: Chevy 4 Bolt Mains
Flywheel: Flex Plate
Exhaust: Stainless Steel
Fuel System
Fuel Cell
Manufacturer: ATL
Age: 10
Capacity: 18 gal
Fuel Pump: Mechanical
Fuel Type: CAM2
Oil/Water System
Radiator: 6 Core Brass
Water Rad Location: Front
Water Pump: Aluminum Racing
Oil Cooler: Yes
Oil Cooler Location: Aft
Electrical System
Alternator: None
Battery: Lead Acid
Data Logger: None
Computer: None
Transmission
Manfacturer: Hewland Transaxle
Type: LG500
Shifter: 4 Speed
Trans Cooler: No
Rear End
Manufacturer: Hewland Transaxle
Type: LG500
Cooler: No
Case: Magnesium
Differential: Hewland
Body
Construction: Fiberglass body/engine lid
Color: White/Blue
Paint: 2 Stage
Condition: Concours
Chassis
Type: Tube chassis
Builder: LeGrand
Material: Mild Steel
Finish: Imron
Condition: Concours
Front Suspension: Lower wishbone, polished, concours condition
