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 spatula concept
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.
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.
Principales sources
- Original Ford GT40 eight-cylinder engine
- Engine in longitudinal rear position
- Rear-wheel drive
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 ?