History Classic Indy roadsters: Most beautiful oval racers ever?

More roadster photos from the piece...

Another look at the Indy roadster era | Mac's Motor City Garage.com

 

Man that red/white #41 is one beautiful machine!

 

Sure is. The generation of cars that immediately preceded the roadsters -- the uprights for lack of a better term -- are beautiful in their own right.

 

These cars are amazing. Not only as race cars but as feats of engineering. The cars built by Miller,Goosen and Offenhauser were practically jewelry. It is a shame that Indy racing has dropped in popularity. I was at the race last year and there were large sections of the stands with empty seats. Definitely should be a trip on every hot rodders bucket list.

 

More roadsters -- here are the two that really put roadsters on the map:

Another look at the Indy roadster era | Mac's Motor City Garage.com

 

Bill, thanks for posting all the photos, especially the one of Bobby Grim in the turbocharged Offy roadster. I've never seen the uncropped version before, and it's a beauty. Do you or anyone else have a shot of the Ford 4 cam (Wilke?) roadster? The most beautiful racers ever? If not, they are certainly close. I even like to look at the cut down supermodified versions, with my apologies to those offended.

 

Here are a few laydowns, borrowed from the internet. The last one is wearing it's Indy paint scheme, with some changes in the lettering. Re-powered in this shot with a small block Chevy, it is now restored. It is a little odd in a couple respects, with it's drivetrain on the right side, and not having a cage in it's supermodified rendition.

 

I have a photo of the DOHC Ford roadster taken in Milwaukee around 2003, will look for it.

 

Nice photos. The Autolite laydown was a favorite of mine when I was a tot.

 

These photos are from the 2003 Carb Day show at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

 

Neat thread.

 

Here's a recent photo of a scratch built champ car I'm putting together. Ford powered

 

Thanks, that's a very interesting car -- a very early KK500. The engine is inclined but not offset. There's a whole story to be told just about all the various offset and driveline configurations.

 

mac miller leanin' on his Watson roadster at the quirky little Mt.Lawn Speedway in Indiana.

Check out the "in car" video from these laps at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j5f6y35kk4

mac miller in INDY

 

Wow! That track needs a re-pave!

 

Cummins entries as early as 1931 claimed 500 miles without a pit stop. I don't think they were in it to win it. I think they just wanted to show off their fuel economy.

 

I'm sure you're correct. Even in 1952, the chance for victory was slim due to the car's tremendous weight. But on the other hand, there were plenty of other benefits for the Indiana company.

 

It's been said that the Cummins car ended up as the Caddy powered Cal Connell Spl.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember reading that Agabashian "sandbagged" all through practice, and put the car (Cummins) on the pole for race day. It's been 30 years or more since that article came out (Open Wheel?), so the ol' gray matter could be deceiving me.

 

Man, I gotta say, The Cummins crew were certainly snappy dressers.
The first guy in line, by the front tires looks like my old boss, Paul Leffler.

 

All true, also true that the car trashed all four tiires in four qualifying laps. It was stupendously overweight.

 

I've read or heard that, too. Would you know which Cummins car/which Connell Cadillac car?

 

No I don't, just something I've read. Though some of the body does resemble the 52 Cummins car. (?)

 

I just received word that Art Malone has died in Fla.
This guy was one of the "bravest of the brave" Indy roadster drivers of the mid 60s. He drove NOVIs for Andy Granatelli at the Indianapolis Speedway and. also. was the first driver to break 180 MPH at the Daytona Intl. Speedway in 1961 driving a modified Indy roadster.
He also set many top fuel drag racing records.

GODSPEED RACER!!!

 

Rest in Peace, Art.

 

was lucky enough to go in 60,61,62,63,64---they were beautiful cars...

 

Look at the grin on his face!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Q1AlqkLXA&feature=related

Had to share.

SPark

 

Here ya go, LM14, Let's take a ride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j5f6y35kk4
http://www.youtube.com/user/macmiller46241

mac miller in INDY

 

According to Gordon Eliot White, the McConnell car shared some common components with the 1950 Kurtis-Cummins. Maybe the story is rooted there as a guess.

 

My nerves would have been shot if the "MASTER" was checking out something that I built! Neat pic.