JBA FEATURE VEHICLE - HISTORIC CAN-AM CAR

Historic 1968 Can-Am Car -- Engine by JBA Performance
By: D. Brian Smith
Photography: JBA Performance
Photo Album

Imagine being at full bore around Laguna Seca’s road course, in a big-block Chevy V-8 powered Can-Am car. Surrounded by nothing more than massive fuel tanks, an ultra-lightweight aluminum monocoque racing chassis and razor-thin fiberglass skin forming the basis of the body of your late ‘60s era sports car can be a thrilling experience. All around you are similarly crafted racing machines with as little driver protection as you have. Remember, you’re not just out for some Sunday lope to the local Starbuck’s. You’re racing these guys, and they want to win every bit as much as you do, if not more. Well, yes, there is a very minimalist roll bar behind your head somewhere. But whether it’s going to protect you in the case of a rollover is anybody’s guess.

In 1966, the Canadian Automobile Sports Club (CASC) and the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) founded the Can-Am series for Group 7 type racecars. Nick Smith owns several vintage racecars that he campaigns at various significant historic racetracks across the U.S. One of his favorites is his big-block Chevy V-8 powered Can-Am car that he enjoys at vintage racing events all over North America. In fact, he piloted his Can-Am beast so much that it wasn’t scaring him as much he thought it should. Nick did what any smart gearhead would do. He trailered the car over to JBA Performance, in San Diego, California to get that big-block Chevy roaring again. JBA’s engine masters replaced the camshaft and all the worn items in the valvetrain and brought that old and now new Chevy powerplant back to life.

Word has it that Nick is back to terrorizing all those historic racing venues across the land. He has several high place finishes to his credit. When you have a team of talented technicians at the ready like the crew at JBA Performance, there’s quite a good chance that your racing skills might improve. Wouldn’t you like to find out? You already know where to find JBA Performance.

Nick’s Can-Am beast perhaps looks better without the bodywork on the chassis. Besides, JBA Performance was hired to renew the Chevy V-8, not wash and wax the body.

The aluminum monocoque chassis may be even lighter than it looks. With the Group 7 Can-Am series racers, form definitely followed function.

Notice the dry sump oil canister on the left side of Nick’s burly road burner.

View full photo album >



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