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Strange Indy 500 CarsUnusual, Bizarre and Weird Indianapolis Racing Cars
The Indy 500 has a long tradition of radical designs and exotic specials, from cars with two engines to machines with six wheels.
The Indianapolis 500 was brought to a halt by America’s involvement in World War Two. After the war the Brickyard once again attracted futuristic machines from designers starved of racing and keen to demonstrate their ingenuity. While a few succeeded, many more failed. Fageol Twin Coach SpecialThe Fageol company manufactured a coach which featured two engines. At Indy in 1946, they attempted to apply the same principles to a racing car. An Offenhauser engine was placed at either end of the car, each powerplant driving a pair of wheels. The car also featured a Rootes supercharger and was driven by Paul Russo. In qualifying Russo used the four-wheel drive machine to qualify in second place. In the race he crashed early, breaking a leg in the process. It was the car’s one and only appearance at Indy. Pat Clancy SpecialThis curious machine appeared at Indy in 1948, sporting no less than six wheels. The four wheels at the back were driven by two axles connected by a universal joint, making the Pat Clancy Special a four-wheel drive car. Powered by a Meyer-Drake engine and driven by Billy DeVore the car was still running at the end and was classified 12th. It remains the only six-wheeled car to complete the Indianapolis 500. MG Liquid Suspension SpecialA product of the fertile minds of Kjell Qvale and Joe Huffaker, the MG Liquid Suspension Special was a genuine contender in the 1964 Indianapolis 500. The car was modelled on the Lotus of Jim Clark which had almost won the previous year, but was notably different in that it utilised a liquid suspension system. Driven by Walt Hangsen and Bob Veith the cars ran near the front in the race before Veith retired after 88 laps. Hangsen was finally classified 13th, having completed 176 laps. There were claims that the car’s fuel had been sabotaged by rival Roadster teams, resentful at the new generation of rear-engined cars. The cars continued to appear at Indy in various guises until 1969. Hurst Floor Shifter Another bizarre machine to turn up for the 1964 race was the Hurst Floor Shifter, designed by the great Smokey Yunick. The black and gold car did not make the race, after Bobby Johns crashed it, but nevertheless it made quite an impression. The main portion of the car was given over to the engine and running gear, while the driver sat perilously exposed in a sidecar attachment. Despite the questionable safety of the design Duane Carter tested it and gave the car a favourable review.
The copyright of the article Strange Indy 500 Cars in Indy Racing is owned by Kevin Guthrie. Permission to republish Strange Indy 500 Cars in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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