Upon returning home from college in Missouri earlier this year, I found yet another influential piece of Midwestern hot rodding history had succumbed to the ever developing modern times. Some of my earliest memories growing up involved craning my nec... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
It's a real shame what has happened to the Detroit area. Once the most powerful city on earth, now in bankruptcy. Sad, sad, sad. At least the water tower remains. Thanks, Joey.
I've always wondered what would have become of the Novi if they had let Fangio run it at Indy in 1958. Fangio didn't think it was all that tough to drive and he smoked the other driver in practice,who went on to place 10th.Thanks for another great story,Joey.
I didn't realize how early they were developed, I can remember hearing about them in about 1960, but by then, sadly, they were back markers. One could hear the "scream" of the Novi over the howl of the offys. Does anyone have pictures of the engines, pictures of the cars are everywhere?
Here's a link to someone eles's blog about the tower, engine and cars. http://mispeed.net/tag/novi-water-tower/
The new rear drive Novi Special at Indy in 1956. Paul Russo puts it on em but had a hairy ride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Qej8ill_k&list=PL12B4111099C92F47
I drive by that water tower and look at it almost every day. It too will soon be gone unless someone steps in.
I had the experience of both seeing the Novi cars run on the big tracks and the engines disassembled for maintenance. Like the Offenhauser engines these were precision engines that ran smooth and fast. The noise is unforgettable too. I could tell they were on the track from a long distance away. Normbc9
Whenever I pass through the Novi area or find myself on Grand River, I always try and stop by to take it in one more time. FWIW here's the 1963 Indy 500 with the Granatelli era Novis from 4:24-on. http://youtu.be/bE6rgs-wltY
Here's a fairly obscure Novi video from Indy during the Granatelli era. This is a collection of outtakes from a Studebaker-STP promotional video featuring Paula Murphy who drove for Andy in a wide variety of cars...as far as can be discerned, this is the first woman to drive a competitive racecar around IMS. Keen observers will notice Eddie Sachs and Jim Hurtubise... <a href="http://<iframe width=" 480"="" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DLcxvjN1ASU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="">">http://<a href="http://<iframe width=" 480"="" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DLcxvjN1ASU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DLcxvjN1ASU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480"></iframe>
That is an incredible engine. I think i have a new dream engine for a roadster.... I had an old Ford with a Novi AC System in it. Such a cool American company that did so many things. Check it out http://www.sakowskimotors.com/detail.asp?carid=452 Pictures of the Novi AC in the trunk at the bottom.
When first developed and completed, the Novi engine was installed in the chassis of one of the 1935 Miller Fords. I can't remember the exact details; but, suffice to say, the car was not successful. It's currently owned by Tom Malloy.
1941 was the first year of the Novi. I guess it depends on what the definition of 'successful' is, but Ralph Hepburn finished 4th at Indy that year. He probably could have lapped the field but didn't dare push over about 75% throttle or he would have burned those 1941 tires right off the wheels.
You're exactly right. I guess I should have said that it (the car's chassis) was "overwhelmed" by the powerful engine.
Lew Welch, the owner of the original Novi cars, was an OEM vendor to the Ford Motor Company. His factory in Novi Michigan, made such things as heaters, and various linkage systems. His business ran into hard times; and in 1959 he sold the cars and engines to Andy Granatelli. I guess all the changes at Ford, at that time, probably caused the downswing in Welch's fortunes as well as those of the city of Novi
Those of you that are interested in the Novi Specials, and are in the Los Angeles area, might consider going out to Fontana to the AAA Speedway (formerly the California Speedway) on October 18th and 19th. The Indy Racing League will be running the MAVTV 500. On display and on the track (perhaps) will be the original Novi (a Winfield V8), the Bowes Seal Fast Special which was the 4th place finisher in the 1941 Indy 500. Apparently, the speedway and Victory Lane magazine are offering a ticket special. The discount is for Saturday admission of $35, with a grandstand and paddock pass. I believe to get the special, you call Pam Shatraw (at Victory Lane) 650-321-1411 or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com On Friday, when the IRL and Indy Lights are running and practicing, the vintage racers will be on the track shortly afternoon, and about 4:30 pm. The vintage race cars will be on display in the paddock area both Friday and Saturday.
The back story of the Novi is as interesting as the cars themselves. Henry Ford was a racing fan & liked the idea of a v8 car in the 500. He & Lou Welch were in a sense business partners. The Novi engine was the product of their financial colaberation & the brilliant minds of Fred Offenhauser , Leo Gossen , & both of the Winfield brothers. Backed by Ford money the engine was installed in one of the 1935 Harry Miller designed Ford race cars that had been not ssuccessfull at Indy. Also part of the Novi team was the rumored illigitemate son of Henry Ford just to keep an eye on things. After ww2 Welch had Frank Kurtis build new chassis with front wheel drive & although 3 of the races between the end of the war & 1950 were won by much less powerful engines the Novi was to heavy & could not keep the tires of the time from wearing away. Two veteran drivers lost their lives in these cars & by the time new rear wheel drive cars were built the Novi's were no more competitive than the other cars & still suffered from the problem of weight & tire wear. A great & lasting legacy of effort & misfortune.
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