Chevron Cars Ltd, operating out of Bolton in the north of England, was one of the most respected names in small-capacity prototype construction during the 1970s. Their B36 was purpose-built for the 2.0-litre sports car class, a category that gave the 24 Hours of Le Mans much of its depth and character in the late part of that decade. This Spark Model replica captures one specific, historically documented entry from the 1979 race — car No. 33, fielded by Team Societe Racing.
A British Constructor at the Heart of European Endurance Racing
The Chevron B36 sat within a lineage of B-series prototypes that Chevron developed to satisfy the regulations of the 2-litre class in European endurance competition. Produced circa 1977–1979, the B36 was a logical evolution of earlier Chevron sports-racing machinery, keeping the construction lean and competitive against rivals such as the Lola T298 and Osella PA6. The car ran a 2.0-litre inline-4 engine, a configuration typical of the class's technical culture — high-revving, relatively simple, and demanding precision from its drivers over a full 24-hour stint.
No. 33: The Dechelette Family at La Sarthe, 1979
Team Societe Racing entered the Chevron B36 as No. 33 at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a trio of French privateer drivers: Alain Dechelette, Charles Dechelette and Marcel Tarres. The Dechelette family's involvement reflected a genuine grassroots motorsport commitment — not a funded professional outfit, but a team built on passion for endurance racing at its most demanding venue. French privateer crews of this period populated the GTP 2-litre class with purpose and resourcefulness, and the No. 33 entry stands as a documented example of that culture at Le Mans in 1979.
Spark Model and the Case for the Overlooked Entry
Spark Model has built a well-earned reputation for producing 1:43 scale model cars of Le Mans entries that no other mainstream manufacturer approaches. This Chevron B36 in Team Societe Racing livery is a clear illustration of that commitment: a minor-class, single-year, single-team entry reproduced in precise miniature form. The model credits all three drivers — Alain Dechelette, Charles Dechelette and Marcel Tarres — on its packaging and base, which matters to any collector researching the full driver roster of the 1979 race. Few other makers would dedicate a 1:43 release to an entry of this specificity.
Placing No. 33 in the Collection
This model integrates naturally into a 1979 Le Mans grid display, particularly alongside other Spark Model releases from the same race series. Collectors focused on the 2-litre prototype class will find it a companion piece to representations of the Lola T298 and Osella PA6 from the same era. For those building a French privateer narrative across late-1970s Le Mans editions — cars entered on determination rather than budget — the No. 33 Chevron B36 occupies a distinct and difficult-to-duplicate position on the shelf.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the drivers of the No. 33 Chevron B36 at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans?
The car was driven by Alain Dechelette, Charles Dechelette and Marcel Tarres, entered under the Team Societe Racing banner.
What class did the Chevron B36 compete in at Le Mans?
The B36 ran in the 2.0-litre sports prototype class, a category that formed a significant part of the Le Mans entry list in the late 1970s.
Who makes this 1:43 scale model and what series does it belong to?
It is produced by Spark Model, as part of their ongoing series of 1:43 Le Mans historic replicas covering minor-class and privateer entries.
What makes the Chevron B36 significant as a collector subject?
Chevron Cars Ltd was a respected British constructor whose B-series prototypes competed across European endurance racing from the late 1960s into the early 1980s. The B36, produced circa 1977–1979, is a rarely modelled variant of that lineage.
