1928 Chamberlain 8 race car

Close-up view of decal. The Chamberlain 8 is one of Australia’s best documented and preserved Grand Prix cars. First built in 1928, it was an ingenious concept of famed engineers and brothers Bob and Bill Chamberlain. Many felt that the shape of the Chamberlain’s chassis and the manner in which the wheels stretched out made it look like a flying creature, which led to the origin of its nickname the ‘beetle’.
As an Australian Special, the Chamberlain is an example of the one-off vehicles built or modified in small workshops by local engineers that characterised the country’s racing scene between 1920 and 1960. Fast but unreliable, the car failed to finish most of the events it was entered into. After the Second World War it was tuned and entered the Mt Tarrangower Hillclimb, winning the under-3000cc category. Later on, the Chamberlain 8 competed in several Hillclimbs as well as the 1996 Geelong Speed Trials in the Tribute to Australian Specials. It was also an invited guest in the Super Exotics and the Australian Collection at the 1997 Australian Grand Prix.
Leading Specifications of the Chamberlain 8 Race Car:
Year of construction: 1928 (car) & 1935 (engine)
Engine: 4 cylinders, 1078cc, two – stroke with two crankshafts & eight opposed pistons,
Carburation: One – Vacturi carburettor with Rootes-type supercharger