Chavik Shafer Buick 8 Indy Special
February 2021 • By Tony Thacker • Photos March Gewertz, video Nestor Cabrera
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It’s hard enough to build a car from scratch in the US, where we have all the ingredients— from metal to talent. Can you imagine trying to build a faithful Indy car replica out of scrap metal in the tiny land-locked Czech Republic (Czechia)? Heck, I didn’t even know where Czechia was until I met Stanley Chavik and saw his roadster.
Stanley grew up in Czechoslovakia, a country buffeted between Germany, Poland, and Austria that had been a soccer ball in European politics until its peaceful dissolution into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. Like many Europeans, Stanley was enamored with things American particularly their cars and motorcycles. In fact, he carried a photo of a 1933 Shafer Buick 8 Indy car that one day he hoped to build.
Stanley Chavik’s inspiration: Phil Shafer with Earle Frost (riding mechanic) in the 1934 Shafer 8. Photo Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Phil 'Red' Shafer worked for GM and raced on the side. Between 1925 and 1934, seven of Shafer's Buick-powered racecars qualified for the Indy 500. His best finish was 3rd in 1925. In 1933, Stubby Stubblefield came 5th in a Shafer 8 but Shafer was a DNF. In ’34 Shafer finished 15th but Al Miller driving another Shafer 8 finished a good 6th.
Shafer fielded three cars in 1935 and Cliff Bergere finished 13th. Photo Indianapolis Motor Speedway
In 1935, Shafer fielded three Victor Gasket Specials. Unfortunately, Stubblefield and his mechanic, Leo Whitaker were killed when their car went over the wall. However, Cliff Bergere came in 13th while Shafer was a DNF.
The Shafer Specials were sleek cars with a long sweeping exhaust that ran tight alongside the driver—it inspired Stanley, who found a four-door 1939 Buick 8 donor that had been converted into a wagon, or maybe an ambulance that somehow arrived in Czechoslovakia circa 1940. Using the treasured photograph, Stanley scaled up its dimensions and drew his dream car.
Pretty much everything except the straight-eight engine, 3-speed trans, rear axle and brakes were junked. Most everything else he made from the frame table to make the frame to the grille and grille bars. The frame being completely hand formed from steel while he beat the body into shape from sheets of 16 and 18 swg aluminum.
Even the grille is hand beaten from steel using only the photograph for reference while the folded and curved grille bars are likewise hand formed. “I had nothing,” said Stanley. “I had to make forms and dies so that I could make parts.” And all of this self taught.
Below the frame Stanley slung some parallel Willys Jeep leaf springs wherein he hung a beam axle, maybe from a Nash, fitted with the ’39 Buick drums and some beautiful stainless-spoked 20-inch Dayton wire wheels. Out back he used a 9-inch Posi, again, with the old Buick drums. The original torq-tube had to be junked in favor of an open drive.
For steering, Stanley turned to a found box that he thinks is of 1920’s Czech origin, probably a Škoda. The column is topped with a European wood-rim Moto-Lita steering wheel. Instrumentation is interesting with a giant 5-inch tach, a rare Jaeger four-day racing clock plus vintage brass oil, amp and water temp gauges—the former two with Indian-head logos.
Somebody had swapped the Buick engine so Chavik’s is actually a 1937 ohv, 248ci (4.1L) ‘Dynaflash’ valve-in head straight-eight engine developing 107hp when new. The engine also featured five-main-bearings with eight integrally forged counterweights, Anolite aluminum alloy pistons and a chain-driven camshaft. Stanley’s 8 is completely rebuilt and juiced by four Strombergs. The exhaust, like everything else, Stanley hand fabricated. Incidentally, that original three-speed Buick box has been replaced with a T5 from an S-10 truck.
After competing in the 2017 Exhibicni Jizda in Zlin, it was more than clear that Chavik’s Buick provoked people and got their attention. All this publicity brought TV and magazines to Stanley's shop to introduce his special skills and extraordinary ability to restore life into projects such as the Buick. Stanley shipped the Shafer along with his wife Daisy and son Stanley, to the US where eventually they settled in Orange, CA, and Stanley and Daisy opened Hot Rod–Chavik USA—a family business. As you can surmise, there isn’t anything this talented man can’t turn his hands to. Oh, and he drives the snot out of their car.
To reach Hot Rod Chavik USA visit www.HotRodChavik.com call 714-234-7835 or email Daisy@hotrodchavik.com
Vehicle: 1933 Shafer 8 Buick tribute
Owners: Stanley & Daisy Chavik, Hot Rod-Chavik, Orange, CA
• Engine: 1939 Buick 8
• Carbs: Stromberg
• Trans: T5
• Shifter: Hurst
• Front axle: I-beam, possibly Nash
• Rear axle: 9-inch Posi with 3.5:1 gears
• Springs: Willys Jeep parallel leaf
• Shocks: 1939 Buick lever arm
• Brakes: 1939 Buick drums
• Headlights: Model A
• Taillights: 1938 Chevrolet
• Wheels: 20-inch Dayton with stainless spokes
• Tires: 6.00x20 Firestone
