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History 10 greatest Indy roadsters in history

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Bill McGuire, Feb 18, 2014.

  1. frank spittle
    Joined: Jan 29, 2009
    Posts: 1,672

    frank spittle
    Member

  2. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    While the Kurtis built cars are usually said to be the first roadsters (offset driver/driveline) the fact is that the Talbot-Lago entered in the 1941 500 was, as near as I can tell, the first of that configuration. Post war, Zora Duntov bought the car and entered it a couple more times though it never qualified.
     

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  3. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,419

    A Boner
    Member

    "Belond Exhaust Special" does it for me!
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2014

  4. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    The last time I was at the Speedway Museum, Foyt's '64 winner was out in the parking lot, with a small tarp over the cockpit. I assume for a photo shoot. There was a light rain falling, and no one was around. It took everything I had to keep from pulling the tarp off and jumping in it. :D
     
  5. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,456

    noboD
    Member

    Thank you Bill.
     
  6. von Dyck
    Joined: Apr 12, 2007
    Posts: 678

    von Dyck
    Member

    Just curious: what is the function of the pipe (tubing) protruding forward through the radiator air inlet?
     
  7. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,207

    silent rick
    Member

    guides the starter to the crank.
     
  8. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    for the remote starter
     

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  9. 327-365hp
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 5,429

    327-365hp
    Member
    from Mass

    Great post Bill. Tough to pick only 10 cars. If I was to pick on looks alone, Jack Turner and the Bardahl Special would be at the top of my list.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. As the other guys said, the tube serves as a guide to install and align the remote electric starter.

    All I would add is that since the tube lines up exactly with the crankshaft, it serves as a handy indicator of the engine offset on that particular car. For example, three of the very first Kurtis-Kraft KK500 chassis have zero engine offset, so the starter tube is in the center of the grille. Easy way to ID these cars.
     
  11. Thanks again for the encouraging words. All I try to do is come up with material that car guys like us will enjoy. No more to it than that.
     
  12. I wouldn't call the car a roadster. The layout was designed for road racing and has symmetrical L/R weight distribution.
     
  13. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,052

    wicarnut
    Member

    I agree, that time frame produced the most Beautiful racers and some the biggest Hero's for us car guys. The history of racing is of great interest to me and I Thank You for your efforts for posts. Again, IMO the History/Pics is one of the best parts of the HAMB. John
     
  14. BrerHair
    Joined: Jan 30, 2007
    Posts: 5,005

    BrerHair
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Fantastic machines. Thanks Bill.
     
  15. von Dyck
    Joined: Apr 12, 2007
    Posts: 678

    von Dyck
    Member

    Thank you for explaining the starter!
     
  16. Fenders
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 3,921

    Fenders
    Member

    I guess the engine is offset but aren't they lay-down engines?
     
  17. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    Some, like the Salih laydown, are. Most were upright. As much as I like Indy roadsters, I like them even better in their next life, Supermodifieds. Cars like "Animal" Andy Brown's, and the "Flinstone Flyer" cars of Todd Gibson. Just think stock '32 Ford vs OHV highboy.
     
  18. Jim Hurtubise's beer cooler....
     
  19. HAMB rocks!
     
  20. Offy 220
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 255

    Offy 220
    Member

    Definitely agree with the above post! The Roadster Era is my favorite period of Auto Racing bar none! Love the lines and looks of the Roadster along with the one of a kind sound and roar of an Offy! Thanks Bill and Mac!
     

  21. Some did and some didn't. Might be time for an Indy Roadster Spotter's guide to sort all that out.
     
  22. ago
    Joined: Oct 12, 2005
    Posts: 2,199

    ago
    Member
    from pgh. pa.

    subscribed
     
  23. Chuck R
    Joined: Dec 23, 2001
    Posts: 1,347

    Chuck R
    Member

    Those 10 are awesome, Its always hard to pick a favorite but this one really stands out for me.
    chuck
    [​IMG]
     
  24. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,627

    The37Kid
    Member

    Rootie, Is that Talbot the only INDY car to run with a door? I sat in an INDY roadster many years ago, amazing how close you are to the rear tire. Bob
     
  25. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    One of my favorites
     

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  26. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    It's the only I've seen. Leave it to the French, huh. :D
     
  27. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    They all didn't have the motors mounted square to the chassis either.
     

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  28. ago
    Joined: Oct 12, 2005
    Posts: 2,199

    ago
    Member
    from pgh. pa.

    The Lancia/Ferrari Formula car of the mid 50s V8 also was mounted at an angle. Must of been something they tried in the 50s.


    Ago
     
  29. The Wolcott 8 ball is worth a story in itself. Also worth noting the driver is offset left and driveshaft is offset right. It's almost like Lujie was trying to baffle.
     

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