Description[]
The Chaparral 2J was a prototype race car designed by Chaparral Cars for use in the 1971 Canadian-American Challenge Cup. Designed by Jim Hall and Hap Sharp, the 2J was one of Can-Am's most radical designs, featuring a streamlined appearance and, most notably, two fans at the rear to aid in creating downforce. The car was powered by an 8.1L Chevrolet big-block V8, with the fans being powered by a separate 0.3L Rockwell snowmobile engine; due to the fans the car was nicknamed the "Fan Car" or the "Sucker Car" by enthusiasts. The car was fast but annoying reliability issues would come back to bite the team and limit the car's competitiveness. The 2J was outlawed for 1971 by the Sports Car Club of America, who fell to peer pressure by other teams arguing that the fans constituted "movable aerodynamic devices", fearing that Can-Am would be ruined by the car's dominance. Only one chassis was built.
This model features opening front and rear compartments. This model was created specifically for the Gran Toros line and was not featured in any of the original Mebetoys lineups. This was the only Gran Toros model to neither feature the Hot Wheels or Gran Toros logos on the base. Finding an untouched model is not easy as many were repainted to resemble the real car.
Versions[]
The Chaparral "2J" has come out in the following 1/43 scale versions:
| Col # | Year | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Country | Notes / Variations | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Gran Toros | Silver | Blue accents, Chaparral branding, "67" stickers | ZAMAC | None | Black | GTWSP | 6628 | Italy | 
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| 1971 | Gran Toros | Red and white | Blue accents, Chaparral branding, "67" stickers | ZAMAC | None | Black | GTWSP | 6628 | Italy | 
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| 1971 | Gran Toros | Yellow and white | Blue accents, Chaparral branding, "67" stickers | ZAMAC | None | Black | GTWSP | 6628 | Italy | 
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