During the Swinging Sixties, a nearly lawless racing series emerged in the Canadian-American Challenge Cup and stunned spectators with thundering prototypes pushing well over 1,000 horsepower. Can-Am’s fabled Group 7 series ran with no limits on engine size and virtually unrestricted aerodynamics from 1966 through 1974; if the car had two seats, bodywork enclosing the wheels, and met basic safety standards, it was allowed.

In 2011, the American Le Mans Series—since merged into IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship—announced intentions to rekindle Can-Am’s glory days with a “Heritage Series” starting in the 2012 season. Called the Unlimited Racing Series, it was to feature identically built racecars called NuArt CanAm Cars, powered by big-block V-8 engines and featuring tube chassis and lightweight bodywork resembling designs seen in the original Can-Am series. The eight-race series was to compete on historical Can-Am circuits around North America but never got off the ground.

Offered here is the third NuArt CanAm Car produced, according to correspondence on file. Acquired by the consignor in 2016, it features a rebuilt 510-cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8 engine with a Donovon D500 aluminum block, Air Flow Research cylinder head, Hilborn eight-stack induction, Callies billet crankshaft, CP Carillo pistons and rods, and a Motec M150 engine management system. A dyno sheet on file from Performance Industries of Santa Paula, California, indicates that the engine produced 665 peak horsepower and 675 peak pound-feet of torque when tested in 2021. The engine sends power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

The car formerly featured silver livery before the consignor had it professionally refinished in the current orange color scheme. Under previous ownership, it was raced several times and street driven to car show events in Arizona and New Mexico, according to the consignor.

Included in its feature set is a “Street Package,” with headlights, wiring, mufflers, and seat belts. The included headlights and mufflers are not currently installed but accompany the car. It rides on track tires, which should be replaced, depending on intended use. Offered now with very few hours of operation since its engine’s masterful rebuild completed in 2021, this rare racer could serve double duty as the ultimate track-day amusement ride and cars-and-coffee conversation piece.