Features VINTAGE SPRINT CAR PIC THREAD, 1965 and older only please.

No picture of a bare chassis but I don't think the beer wagon had a 96'' w.b.

 

Yeah, assuming it is an old Indy roadster I doubt the cowl is its original. It may help to track it down to when it last raced in the 70s-80s-? though.

 

I agree on the wheel base. Just wondering, we always here of Indy roadsters being shortened into sprint cars, could a sprint roadster been stretched into a super?

 

Thanks for the explanation, unassembled. It's still a great story, isn't it?

 

Sure, no reason it couldn't be if the rules called for a 96" min. I really don't know how what kind of rules they had in that part of the country though. My experience is that most pavement super rules often called for a 90" min. (?)

 

I am pretty convinced at this point that it is a speedway car. It has the remains of jack points on the front. That existing magnesium body panel with the patched vent hole and the repaired area where the exhaust hanger came through. I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. I also think the magnesium foot box that has been cut on for clearance points in that direction. ??

And they way it appears with that cowl and nose may lead to the trail going backwards. Thanks for all the comments and interest.

 

I just found this picture and was going to post it . A lot of famous drivers in this picture including the winningest AAA big car driver Bob Sall.

 

1962 URC co-champions Earl Halaquist and Bobby Courtwright.

 

I'm inclined to agree with you. Keep us updated on what you learn as you go along.

 

I thought I would add these photos of some of those things

 

Good eye on the exhaust bracket. Hopefully another Indy roadster found and saved! You just need a chassis whisperer to talk to it and find out its history!

 

Something I came across from 1962 that may,or may not, be relevent to anything but Ruby drove a Watson for Thompson Ind. that year.

 

Wow that does look similar. None of my Watson plans or pictures have that little kick up over the rear axle though.

 

Yeah, I've never seen one like that either. The artical doesn't say it's a Watson chassis specifically so that's why I say it may not be relevent, just throwing it out there.

 

The Greg Littleton roadster book attributes 2 cars to Barney Christianson a 1959 from Watson plans ( Travelon trailer) and a 1961 that Ruby drove in 62 for Thompson Industries. ?? looks quite similar and the gussets are drilled about the same from what I see.

 

I agree with the gusset holes, plus the swoopy rear tubes. Rootie may have solved this one in record time! At least a very strong lead.

 

Watson was pretty free about providing his prints to other builders and of course they could change and configure to their liking but they were usually classified as a Watson none the less.

 

I couldn't remember if it had that gusset in the photo and all the gussets that I remember being on the car had 3 holes, so I went to look. It was there and has 2 holes?

 

I saw them from a distance. The close up really looks the same. Those could be 2 valuable holes!

 

Maybe instead of being a "lump of coal" now it is a "diamond in the rough". It sure looks close. If it is not the car in the photos, it was surely built by the same guy and that narrows things down. And those photos may help determine some of the stuff that has been hacked on and changed. ???

Thanks to Rootie and BZNeil for your help and enthusiasm! I had a hell of a time spelling enthusiasm. Guffey

ps Sorry to everybody else for derailing the thread for a couple of pages.

 

It's probably avenue worth pursuing. The other car Barney C. built (the Travelon car) is alive and well out west and the owner is quite active in the vintage scene. Maybe one of our left coast friends can put you in touch with him and you could e-mail some pics to see what, if any, similarities there are. Just a thought.

 

Thanks, can you tell what magazine the photo was in. and I am not sure who owns the Travelon car but I had the same thoughts.

 

June 1962 Todays Motor Sports, what I posted was the only mention of that particular car. I believe the owner of the Travelon car is named Nelson(?) Carl S. will know for sure.

 

This to me is classic Don Brown. I just got a nose,hood and cowl from Gene Gibson,molds pulled from Dons rabbit. The tail mold is gone

 

If that is the car Lloyd Ruby drove in 1962, it was a 1958 Watson that jimmy Reece drove in 1958. At least that is what the 1962 Floyd Clymer's book says of it. That does not jibe with the "Watson Years" book by Gary Wayne. Wayne does not have this car in the 500 field in 1962. It was turned to a coil over for 1963. It was retired by Zink after 1963 and was still in the Zink museum in 1956 Livery. (it was painted to look like the 56 winner when he used it as a campaign centerpiece when Zink ran for the Senate.

 

I wish it was that car but I think Ruby was in the car you are talking about in 1963 not 62. Thats the way it looks in the Littleton roadster book. ? I don't know.

 

JMO- but I don't think the 1958 Reece car and the 1962 Ruby car are the same, judging by the nose shape and starter shaft spud.

 

You have to squint real hard to see it

 

Hi, I'm new to this thread - I've already spent way too much time here- the older sprint/midget/ roadster race cars are some of the most beautiful shapes ever put on four wheels! This is my water color of the old Enterprise Machine Special as driven by Ralph Liguori, among others.
Dan McCrary