ACA Canam 4,7 -1969

The Formula 5000's integrated spoiler concept, known as a spatula, was used again in 1969 for a Canam barquette powered by a 4.7-liter Ford GT40 engine.

The Sbarro Canam "spatula", with its distinctive shape, at the Vuillafans hill-climb in 1970.

The spatula concept

The Formula 5000 was the first to benefit from this concept invented by Franco Sbarro, the spatula. Schematically, the spoiler is integrated into the bodywork, and Naca air intakes can be fitted to cool the radiators at the rear.

Four examples of the Canam 4.7 were built, according to Franco Sbarro in the book "La mécanique dans le sang". During my research, a Canam spatula, yellow in color (then repainted red?), seems to be the best known, often presented as a unique model. I found two photos of a Canam Spatula taken by a Brazilian photographer, with colored stripes (I don't have the source of these photos). Finally, at an exhibition in Romanshorn in 2022, an orange Spatula was presented. At present, the information I have on these four examples mentioned by Franco Sbarro is rather vague.
The spatula shape is clearly visible in this photo taken at the Vuillafans hill-climb in 1970.

Base: GT40

The Canam spatula is built, as usual, with parts from the Ford GT40, of which Franco Sbarro owned a large stock at the time (probably from Filipinetti).

The yellow car was driven at the time by Gérard Pillon of Scuderia Filipinetti, who took part in numerous hill-climb races in 1970-1971 in Switzerland and Germany: victory at Lignières (Switzerland) in 1971, second place at Casablanca in 1971. The photos on this page show the Canam spatule at the Vuillafans hill-climb in 1970, and come from the caradisiac forum.

Today, the car is said to be powered by a Chevrolet engine.

In brief
1- The Canam 4.7 uses the principle of a spoiler integrated into the bodywork, giving it a spatula shape.
2- The mechanical base is original Ford GT40
3- Four examples ?
Principales sources
1- Book "Franco Sbarro. La mécanique dans le sang. Tome 1"
2- forum Caradisiac, 1970 hill-climbing races section for photos of the Vuillafans hill-climbing race
3- website Autosprint.ch