The Indy Offy Land-Speed Mash-Up

Bill Wendt’s Replication of the 1959 Indy 500 Winner Is Actually Meant for Bonneville.

- Thom Taylor

Wendt wanted his race car to be as close of a replica to the original winner sitting in the Indianapolis 500 Museum as SCTA rules would allow. He weaved construction between toeing the authenticity line and bending when it came to safety, reliability, or class rules. Aerodynamically, things like external oil tanks, steering linkage, and bulky suspension components—all pretty much standard fare for these Indy roadsters—will kill your speed at Bonneville. The hurdle for Wendt at every turn (no pun intended) was to find examples Watson built with wind-cheating features, then present photographic proof to the rules committee. What better way to sift through the 10 or so years of Indy roadsters and Champ cars than to enlist the maestro; Watson himself was still residing in Indianapolis and, once approached, became an enthusiastic participant.

Tom McGriff in Indianapolis has built a number of roadster replicas and was commissioned for this unique recreation. The wheelbase, tubing diameter (1 1 ⁄2-inch for the main chassis as original, and 1 3 ⁄4-inch for the driver area, per SCTA rules), powerplant, and bodywork—which, except for the aluminum belly pan, is fiberglass from AJ Watson’s original molds—all adhere to the 1959 winner’s specs. Visually, the tipoffs this is not Ward’s winner are the Goodyear Bonneville 15-inch tires, rollcage, ’chute, and windscreen.