Can-Am Race Car – 2003 Market & Price Guide

The Canadian American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) was co-sanctioned by the SCCA and CASC; it was a series nicknamed the “unlimited” series. Although there was a basic set of rules, the cars had to be two-seaters with bodywork covering the wheels, doors, a windscreen, brake lights and meet various safety requirements.

There was no regulation on the cars’ dimensions, minimum weight, materials used or size of the tires. This was all open to the creativity of the designer.

The nickname “unlimited” came from the regulations allowing engines of unlimited displacement and number of cylinders, i.e., horsepower. Essentially, this was the open sports racing car series and it became a hotbed of new technology and racing car design.

It took place from 1966 until 1974 with races in Canada and America. At its peak it was a 10-race series featuring cars from BRM, Chaparral, Ferrari, Lola, March, McLaren, Porsche and Shadow. Some of the famous drivers who took part in the Can-Am include Amon, Donohue, Follmer, Gurney, Hill, Hulme, McLaren, Oliver, Revson, Scheckter, Siffert, Stewart and Sur­tees.

It was partly known as the “Bruce and Denny Show” because of their five straight years of winning championships racing McLarens. It started with a Lola championship and ended with complete domination by Porsche with the 917/10 and 917/30.

Today there is a historic Can-Am group which organizes races across the country, including some very popular Can-Am reunion events.

The value of these cars today is determined largely by their provenance, whether a team car or a private car, the race history and the condition.

1971 McLaren M8F

The works Team McLaren model built for the 1971 Can-Am season was the M8F. The production, customer model built by Trojan was the M8E. The Gordon Coppuck–designed M8F had an aluminum monocoque, which was stronger than the year before, the brakes were now in-board in the rear and the big block Chevrolet V-8 was up to 8.1 liters and produced 740 hp The gear box was a big Hewland DG. The wheels were no less than 17 inches wide. The M8F won 8 of the seasons’ 10 races and brought McLaren and Peter Revson McLaren’s final championship. The M8F was the ultimate Can-Am weapon and is highly sought after today.

1973 Porsche 917/30

Porsche’s ultimate weapon was developed out of the 917K, 917PA and 917/10. It was a tube frame chassis with a lightweight, aerodynamic, fiberglass body with under panels bonded to it. The engine was a flat, 12-cylinder, 5.4-liter, with twin turbochargers, which could produce an amazing 1,100 bhp at 7,800 rpm. It had a sturdy Porsche-built, four-speed gear box and limited slip differential. The 917/30 was the pinnacle of Porsche’s design and engineering excellence. Entered by Roger Penske and driven by Mark Donohue, it dominated the 1973 season, bringing Por­sche the Can-Am championship. Later, it set a closed-course land speed record. Today these cars are owned by those content to retain ownership and rarely trade hands.

Criteria Used For Assessing Valuations for this Guide:

• Degree of Originality
• Overall Condition, Restoration
• Technology, Design, Coachbuilder
• Production Numbers/Rarity
• Competition History
• Ownership History, Documentation
• Modern Event Eligibility

Regional Variances

The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT. Most of the time, we are able to document known sales or closed escrows, as they say in real estate. When this is not possible, a logical estimate of the car’s value is given, based on its sales history and relationship to cars of its type.

The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT.