A Quick Look In The IMS Museum
By Andrew Cutler
January 11 2009
As I patiently wait for something newsworthy to happen on the IndyCar &/or Indy Lights front, this site is in danger of going off-line for lack of a new front page article. I hope that you will humor me as I add a "fluff" peice just to keep that from happening. To that end, allow me to invite you on a quick photo tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum.
The museum is located within the IMS grounds, on the South end between Turns 1 & 2 of the oval. There are regularly some 75 vehicles on display at all times, featuring not only former Indy 500 entrants, but also a collection of vintage cars from the early days of Grand Prix racing - many fom the era prior to the current F1 Series - as well as various "sportscar" series. There are also many early street production cars, and a collection of street & racing motorcycles. In addition, there is quite a collection of old racing trophies from events/series that have long since ceased to exsist. For a mere $3 you can stop by view them any day of the year save Christmas
Here are a few samples of what you will see there. I have more posted on a Photobucket page which you can reach from the link posted at the bottom of this article.
Early racers thought about aero issues too!
This is a 1906 Lauren & Klement racer. Note the "rudder", linked to respond to the movement of the steering wheel, to help with cornering.
1927 Duesenberg
Before the days of the "Big Three" there were several small US auto companies, some located here in Indiana. Duesenberg was one of the most well known. One major drawback to buying a Duesenberg: they only sold you the chassis/engine/drive train. You had to hire your own fabricator to construct/install the bodywork!
1954 Mercedes-Benz W196
Does the name Juan Manuel Fangio ring any bells?
1970 Harley Davidson Streamliner
This "motorcycle" was the fastest thing on two wheels for five years, until it's top speed - 265.492 mph - was finally beaten in '75.
Yes - they have Indy winners there as well...
A collection of Indy 500 winners ranging from the '10s to the '50s. On the other side of the partition behind them are winners from the '60s to the '90s.
Ever hear of Rudi Caracciola?
Caracciola was a famous German driver from the pre-WWII days who won a boat-load of events. In '46 he came to Indy to attempt to qualify for the 500. He was badly burned in a practice session accident, & was a guest in the house of the Hulman family (who had recently purchased the track) during his recuperation. In his gratitude, Rudi left them his entire trophy collection in his will. They are all here, including a rather gaudy-looking peice from Nazi-era Germany, complete with a swastika & Hitler's name boldy emblazoned on it: This caused quite a media stir when the collection first went on display!
Here is a link to see my other photos from the museum:
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e114/IndyAndy/IMS%20museum/
Enjoy!
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