Reventlow’s success in those races encouraged him to move to Formula 2. The Scarabs were immediately successful in the hands of Reventlow and his driver, Chuck Daigh. Like the Scarab sports car, the Formula One car, unveiled in 1959, was a thing of beauty. Daigh, Reventlow and, on one occasion, Richie Ginther campaigned the cars during the season’s 10 events. After investing nearly $2 million, Reventlow shuttered the Scarab operation in 1962. He leased the building to Shelby, who emulated Reventlow, and created his own sports cars — the iconic Cobras. Reventlow failed in his dream to produce a winning American Formula One car.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•