Chauvin Emmon’s Indy Influence

After yesterday’s post, I got a ton of private messages and emails asking for more information on the above pictured roadster. I did some quick research and discovered that the car was featured in the June, 1964 issue of Hot Rod Magazine and was owned/built by Chauvin Emmons. That name sound familiar? It should… Chauvin is a modern legend at Bonneville and has owned a number of records with his latest being at over 300 mph in the A/Fuel Modified Roadster class.

In the early 60’s Chauvin was a young guy. In fact, he was only 22 or 23 when he started working for a team aiming at the Indy 500. It was really that experience that lead to him building the crazy street roadster. It all started with a tube frame that was considered “space age” in 1964. This platform allowed him to use a very typical Indy car suspension – crossed torsion bars supporting upper trailing links that locate a tube axle. It’s a very racy look and it is complimented by Halibrand spindle mounts up front and deep slots out back.

Of course, the kicker is the A.J. Watson style track nose. It’s glass… as is the rest of the body – including the super trick two-holed tonneau cover. That fiber is covered in red/orange paint that slams against the chrome of the ’58 Olds motor. It’s 380-inches of high compression power fed by Hilborn injection. There is no word on performance, but the power-to-weight ratio is certainly there.

However, a couple of things make ya wonder about streetability. First, that’s a big racy mill for a little itty bitty radiator. I’d be surprised if this hot rod ran cool. Secondly, the speedway look isn’t complimented by the lack of front brakes. Even so, there’s something cool about the bonzai notion of it all. It’s a hot rod.