By Robert Emslie
The first competitive event held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was in fact a helium balloon event held on June 5, 1909, two months before the oval track was completed. Since then however, competitors have vied for supremacy in far more earth-bound vehicles, the most modern of which in fact use their speed to provide additional air pressure to push them down rather than lighter than air gasses to lift them up.
Those machines, so identified with the Memorial Day weekend event that they are commonly known as Indy Cars, may at present look almost identical owing to strict racing regulations and aerodynamic expediency. But that’s not to say that there haven’t been some individualistic designs over the years. Some of those classic racers are not just interesting for their historical significance, they’re also pretty cool looking.
Let’s say you had the opportunity to own and display one of these classic racers – say in your living room, because why the heck not – which Indy veteran would be your choice to fill that prime position?
Image: Dale’s Race Place
Jeff Glucker
Uh, can I display it at my local track instead?
I just love this Marmon Wasp which won the 1911 Indy 500. It was driven by Ray Harroun and its average speed was almost 75 MPH and finished first after 6 hours and 42 minutes.
<img src="http://www.classic-car-history.com/classic%20motorsports%20pictures/vintage%20indy%20500%20cars/1911-indy-500-winner-marmon-wasp-at-kruse-museum-2.jpg"width="500"/>
Also the first time a rearview mirror was used in a race car. Smart man.
I didn't know that. Smart man, indeed!
Because of my age, Johnny Rutherford's '76 McLaren will always be what a "race car" should look like.
<img src="http://linapps.s3.amazonaws.com/photomojo/wishtv.com/photos/2011/05/g324-indy-500-a-century-of-winners/6723-1976-johnny-rutherford-fde22.jpg" width="500/">
I had an 8×10 b&w glossy of this photo on my bedroom wall.
One of the Jim Clark/Graham Hill rear engine Lotuses that was a slightly modified F1 car. These machines revolutionized Indy Racing on a level never seen before or since…
Mr Jim Clark´s Lotus
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvUZeFmoLkc/Td0wBP_2aHI/AAAAAAAAItg/xW0lQd-vZ60/s1600/CLARK+EM+1963.jpg" width="600">
Raise the front end up a few inches and you'll have yourself an awesome coffee table.
<img src="http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/1968-stp-lotus-type-56-3-turbine-powered-indy-car_100390624_l.jpg" width="600">
Probably an '88 Penske PC-17, aka the car that swept that year's front row and won the race with Rick Mears.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4986631456_0f93086f49.jpg" />
In 1956 George Salih went to the garage at his house in Whittier, CA with a new idea. He laid the Offy engine down on its side, lowering the center of gravity. The car won at Indy two years in a row.
<img src="http://www.legacydiecast.com/product_images/ca5051.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/3-4-Silah-lay-down-Offy-1957-1958-Indianapolis-500-Winner.jpg" width="600">
Penske PC23 with the Mercedes push-rod engine and the dorsal-fin. Because race-car.
Any Watson Roadster will be sufficient.
<img src="http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=36&pictureid=497">
Or, barring that, Dan Gurney's 1966 Eagle Ford
<img src="http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/documents/66_Indy_Eagle_twincam_1.jpg">
I'd take this 1932 Studebaker. It passed me on the freeway one evening (owned by a local tech executive). The thing is mammoth.
<img src="http://tomstrongman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Racing.jpg">
Lola . . . L O L A Lola.
<img src="http://images.craigslist.org/3Me3F63Nf5Ga5F75M1d5g45fd4b4a20221793.jpg">
<a href="http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3809073706.html” target=”_blank”>http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3809073706.html
A few years ago, I saw this one sticking out of an upholstery shop's garage and snapped a few pics. No details, but it's from the mid 50's and did race at Indy.
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw9j_Kmn5vA/TWNSkBZmxjI/AAAAAAAAABM/S5EcM4PS_5s/s1600/INDYCAR2.JPG" width="600">
http://caughtatthecurb.blogspot.com/2011/02/old-i…