#4 was my grandfather’s first Indy car (Ernie Ruiz, Travelon Trailer Special) He also owned and sponsored #65 and #24. In 1960, Jim Hurtubise broke the speed record in #56 on the last day of qualifiers. This sport was Ernie’s hobby and passion which spanned a total of 12 years at Indy and additional years at various tracks, including Sacramento and Calistoga with his replica half-midgets. I was born in ‘61 and my brothers and I raced the quarter-midget replica of #56 on various tracks. I have very fond memories of ‘going to the races’ with my parents and grandparents. It’s great to see all of these gems restored and still bringing enjoyment to many.
There is absolutely nothing like the Indy front engine roadsters of the 50's and early 60's...! The "Golden Age of Indy" and the cars were the most beautiful ever built for the Speedway..! Nothing like it.. Great video of these historic cars in motion!..AWESOME!
I'm more of an F1 fan of this period than Indy racing, but man do those things look & sound glorious. I could watch & listen to these all day. The mrs has already told me off for the noise as I run this through the loud speakers.
For those that are not familiar with the design of these roadsters, that _bulge_ you see on the left of the driver is the oil tank, as the Offy engine was a dry-sump lubrication system. The fuel tank, up to 70 gallons, is directly behind the driver on the tail of the car.
Jeez those things were beautiful. They look like automobiles rather than airfoils, and the drivers being so visible makes them seem more personal. May they always get a chance to growl around a track.
I love Indy cars from this era! Each had its own distinctive design and look, now all the cars are the exact same with different paint jobs. And the sound of those offy's , Novi's and Cosworths was awesome!
Without a doubt you will NOT find another group or era of true racing vehicles that are as beautiful or as menacing as the 50s indy roadsters! They epitomise the sport in every way, the only thing that even can come close is the 60s CAN-Am. Series cars
I am glad you guys liked the video. I am amazed at all the views. I have some videos from the Historic races at Laguna Seca and Bonneville from a few years ago I will post. Check back soon if you are interested.
@1:15 into this video there's Johnny Boyd's name as driver. I had the privilege of conversing with him back in 1976 when I was attending Fresno State (California) as a journalism student, where I did a print story about the contrasts between two legends of the Indy sport: Billy Vukovich, Jr. and Johnny Boyd. I had a conversation with Vukovich at his home in Oakhurst, California, in the Fall of 1976, where myself being an motorsport enthusiast, I was a bit disillusioned about Vukovich's motivation for racing: It was a way to earn a livelihood; where the money paid good. Back then, prior to the internet, info sources were limited, but I heard that retired Indy driver Johnny Boyd lived in Fresno. His name was in the local phone book; I phoned him and he warmly welcomed me into his home for an evening. The soft-spoken Boyd told me his desire for racing was with the love of the sport, with the monetary compensation being secondary. I would have loved to have spent more time at Boyd's residence to talk about his era at Indy, but being a school night, and carrying a full-academic load for that semester, the visit was limited to less than an hour. The lasting impressions Boyd left with me was the ease it was to converse with him; his soft-spoken cordial demeanor; and for him being 50 years old at that time, he looked considerably older as he sat in his reclining chair. My guess is the rigors of the sport was hard on him.
There was nothing wrong with the Bardahl #15...our experienced driver Bob Dorn could not seem to remember to keep the revs up while letting out on these tricky clutches...finally got him going on the third try!
Yeah, the clutches are almost an on-off switch, and guaranteed to catch out the new driver. But more to the point of the video: the classic Indy Roadster is still at the top of my list for beauty and raw ferocity. What a combination!
Beautiful collect...l saw some of these very cars run at Trenton Speedway back in the early to mid 1960s... one that intrigues me is the white with red #95 Leader Card ride with that DHOC Ford stuffed in the front. I don't know everything about the era...but this looks like an after the era swap. I know Hurtibise's #56 Mallard..and Bobby Grim's #39 turbo Offy were the last two racing roadsters...unless the #95 raced at Phoenix ... any ideas?
Oh so beautiful! Oh so awesome... but oh so deadly. Love their sound. IMHO: Driver of the Bardahl #15 car can't drive and has no business being in that car.
Love the roadsters! Absolutely the most beautiful oval race cars Can somebody please tell me why the crews have to push the cars from a standstill. Do they have tricky clutches to engage? Thanks for posting this video.
Mr.CaliforniaBob + Yes, the clutch springs were stiff. The cars were built at extremes, so the 1300 lb (?) weigh minimum was striven for, so only two gears were utilized. Because of the high top speed, it was necessary to run a very high lower gear, further hampering takeoff from a stop.
Absolutely FANTASTIC real cars, NO ELECTRONIC TRASH TO DUMB DOWN THE DRIVERS ... REAL CARS FOR REAL MEN, NOT PANSEY PEOPLE THAT CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT ALL THE E AIDS. Go real men hit the track and REALLY drive. No disrespect to people that race, unfortunately trapped in this era they have never gotten to drive or race cars from the era when cars were cars and men were men. I'm 55 and the cars from 1960 to 1973. Just about anything else to me is junk unless it's a Toyota cuz that's the only car i will buy now. And by the way Toyota bring back rear wheel drive and the older body design of the trucks please.
Craig Pennington + Irreplaceable, much labored over, highly expensive world-class collector items adored by millions around the world. It would be just the opposite; .pointless. to put the drivers -the cars are .dangerous. at speed in a pack - with many deceased champions having it verified - and cars at causless risk. Where've you been?
Yes, those cars are more stock car that an open wheel Indy car IMHO. The bar above the driver is a good idea but that windscreen seems a little too much . Like the aero pods in front of the rear wheels…
#4 was my grandfather’s first Indy car (Ernie Ruiz, Travelon Trailer Special) He also owned and sponsored #65 and #24.
In 1960, Jim Hurtubise broke the speed record in #56 on the last day of qualifiers. This sport was Ernie’s hobby and passion which spanned a total of 12 years at Indy and additional years at various tracks, including Sacramento and Calistoga with his replica half-midgets.
I was born in ‘61 and my brothers and I raced the quarter-midget replica of #56 on various tracks.
I have very fond memories of ‘going to the races’ with my parents and grandparents. It’s great to see all of these gems restored and still bringing enjoyment to many.
There is absolutely nothing like the Indy front engine roadsters of the 50's and early 60's...! The "Golden Age of Indy" and the cars were the most beautiful ever built for the Speedway..! Nothing like it.. Great video of these historic cars in motion!..AWESOME!
One of my favorite parts of any Indy car race weekend. Road America, Milwaukee Mile and the Indianapolis 500. Works of art. 🏁🇺🇸
I'm more of an F1 fan of this period than Indy racing, but man do those things look & sound glorious. I could watch & listen to these all day. The mrs has already told me off for the noise as I run this through the loud speakers.
For those that are not familiar with the design of these roadsters, that _bulge_ you see on the left of the driver is the oil tank, as the Offy engine was a dry-sump lubrication system.
The fuel tank, up to 70 gallons, is directly behind the driver on the tail of the car.
Jeez those things were beautiful. They look like automobiles rather than airfoils, and the drivers being so visible makes them seem more personal. May they always get a chance to growl around a track.
I love Indy cars from this era! Each had its own distinctive design and look, now all the cars are the exact same with different paint jobs. And the sound of those offy's , Novi's and Cosworths was awesome!
What a spectacular display of gorgeous automobiles!
Without a doubt you will NOT find another group or era of true racing vehicles that are as beautiful or as menacing as the 50s indy roadsters! They epitomise the sport in every way, the only thing that even can come close is the 60s CAN-Am. Series cars
This was just awesome!What a sound!
How am I going to get to see these race all day, every day in heaven if you keep em in beautiful perfect condition here on planet earth?
I am glad you guys liked the video. I am amazed at all the views. I have some videos from the Historic races at Laguna Seca and Bonneville from a few years ago I will post. Check back soon if you are interested.
Love this!
Oh good heavens, that black and gold #31 at the end! Stunning. I love how all the cars in that era were “Specials”.
They're gorgeous.
most beautiful cars ever
They're all beautiful but that blue #4 at 2:20 , WOW! Those Watson roadsters are some of the most beautiful cars ever made.
The song of a four cylinder Offy is sweet music. These are the favorite of mine.
A lot of soul on display here.
I was there that day, the sights,the sounds it just don't get any better!!
I just LOVE these racecars! Thanks for sharing, and greets from the Netherlands!
Everything very beautiful!
Très belles voitures !
These car are awesome!
@1:15 into this video there's Johnny Boyd's name as driver. I had the privilege of conversing with him back in 1976 when I was attending Fresno State (California) as a journalism student, where I did a print story about the contrasts between two legends of the Indy sport: Billy Vukovich, Jr. and Johnny Boyd.
I had a conversation with Vukovich at his home in Oakhurst, California, in the Fall of 1976, where myself being an motorsport enthusiast, I was a bit disillusioned about Vukovich's motivation for racing: It was a way to earn a livelihood; where the money paid good.
Back then, prior to the internet, info sources were limited, but I heard that retired Indy driver Johnny Boyd lived in Fresno. His name was in the local phone book; I phoned him and he warmly welcomed me into his home for an evening. The soft-spoken Boyd told me his desire for racing was with the love of the sport, with the monetary compensation being secondary.
I would have loved to have spent more time at Boyd's residence to talk about his era at Indy, but being a school night, and carrying a full-academic load for that semester, the visit was limited to less than an hour.
The lasting impressions Boyd left with me was the ease it was to converse with him; his soft-spoken cordial demeanor; and for him being 50 years old at that time, he looked considerably older as he sat in his reclining chair. My guess is the rigors of the sport was hard on him.
Thanks MUCH for posting! GREAT stuff!
And then Lotus came along and changed the formula forever.
There was nothing wrong with the Bardahl #15...our experienced driver Bob Dorn could not seem to remember to keep the revs up while letting out on these tricky clutches...finally got him going on the third try!
Yeah, the clutches are almost an on-off switch, and guaranteed to catch out the new driver.
But more to the point of the video: the classic Indy Roadster is still at the top of my list for beauty and raw ferocity. What a combination!
I was struck by how many of the drivers seemed to be struggling to get the cars into gear.
Sure they were unsafe as hell,but these were my favorite racers.
lovely
Beautiful collect...l saw some of these very cars run at Trenton Speedway back in the early to mid 1960s... one that intrigues me is the white with red #95 Leader Card ride with that DHOC Ford stuffed in the front. I don't know everything about the era...but this looks like an after the era swap. I know Hurtibise's #56 Mallard..and Bobby Grim's #39 turbo Offy were the last two racing roadsters...unless the #95 raced at Phoenix ... any ideas?
Number 15 needs to get somebody in it that knows how to drive it without stalling it out
love it!! I have seen a handful of these restorations at my shop over the past 10 years, never been to one event :(
My god these things sound fantastic, don't they?
The number 95: It was either heat the left rear tire, or the driver. And those babys were Hot.
This video should come with a warning label!
It has the same effect as Viagra. 😎
Oh so beautiful! Oh so awesome... but oh so deadly. Love their sound. IMHO: Driver of the Bardahl #15 car can't drive and has no business being in that car.
Would have liked to have been there.
1:26 and that red one in the begining are my favs.4:41 probably had a advantage with those rims/tires?
If grandpa can't even get out of the pits, hows he going to handle that race car on the track?
Love the roadsters! Absolutely the most beautiful oval race cars Can somebody please tell me why the crews have to push the cars from a standstill. Do they have tricky clutches to engage? Thanks for posting this video.
Mr.CaliforniaBob + Yes, the clutch springs were stiff. The cars were built at extremes, so the 1300 lb (?) weigh minimum was striven for, so only two gears were utilized. Because of the high top speed, it was necessary to run a very high lower gear, further hampering takeoff from a stop.
Long live the Age of Dinosaurs.
Was this on Legends day ? I go there but missed this. Not much steering and they must be geared high ,Cause it's kind of tough to take off.
when was this? I'd love to bring my dad up for this he'd get such a thrill!
3:40 - Is the driver of the yellow #14 trying to find a gear?
Graham Clayton + Likely yes. Working to get it into Low of two. Strong and simple.
Some of those cars has a start problem.
Lucas Martínez Parra + Yes,,because the engine is designed at the limit, and tuned the same. Sacrificing everything possible for one more horse.
Absolutely FANTASTIC real cars, NO ELECTRONIC TRASH TO DUMB DOWN THE DRIVERS ... REAL CARS FOR REAL MEN, NOT PANSEY PEOPLE THAT CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT ALL THE E AIDS. Go real men hit the track and REALLY drive. No disrespect to people that race, unfortunately trapped in this era they have never gotten to drive or race cars from the era when cars were cars and men were men. I'm 55 and the cars from 1960 to 1973. Just about anything else to me is junk unless it's a Toyota cuz that's the only car i will buy now. And by the way Toyota bring back rear wheel drive and the older body design of the trucks please.
Are there any Novi's left in this world that is running?
Is it true that on these cars if you turn the steering wheel to the right -- nothing happens?
Mick Kennedy + Is it true that, in a biplane, putting it into a dive from 500', nothing will happen? Yes in both cases, for the driver.
These are super cool but can't they find the GAS PEDDLE? Or they must be restricted in speed on track. If so it's pointless.
Craig Pennington + Irreplaceable, much labored over, highly expensive world-class collector items adored by millions around the world. It would be just the opposite; .pointless. to put the drivers -the cars are .dangerous. at speed in a pack - with many deceased champions having it verified - and cars at causless risk. Where've you been?
"Pedal."
Real racers - still beautiful ! But what have they done to the Indy cars - withy that ugly helmet-high wrap-around screen !! Take 'em off - please !!
Yes, those cars are more stock car that an open wheel Indy car IMHO. The bar above the driver is a good idea but that windscreen seems a little too much . Like the aero pods in front of the rear wheels…