c.1951 Custom Sprint Car

c.1951 Custom Sprint Car
Chassis no. MVIN324028IND
173ci OHV Chevrolet V6 Engine
Dual Weber 45DCOE Carburetors
Est. 125-150 hp
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
Live Axles with Coil-Over Shocks
4-Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes

*Custom-built single-seat Sprint Car clone
*Beautifully constructed, street-registered
*Very light and fast
*Formerly displayed at an Indiana Museum

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This is a very exciting, custom-built single-seat, open-cockpit sprint car clone that was registered in Indiana as a "1951 Roadster" and classified as an "Assembled car", intended for street use. Its original builder has not been verified; an included 2014 Indiana vehicle registration form lists a James Leonard of Cicero, Illinois as the owner at that time.

This intriguing automobile is described as being powered by a 2.8-liter General Motors engine with a pair of big Weber 45mm carburetors on a special cross-ram manifold, with air cleaners that state "Chevy V6". The engine is from GMs' 60-degree V6 family, designed originally for the transverse-engined "X" cars of the 1980s, then adapted to longitudinal placement in other GM automobiles. Many of the latter engines were installed in USAC sprint cars as access to the venerable Offenhauser four-cylinder dwindled. Power from this family of Chevrolet engines ranged from 110bhp all the way up to 140bhp in High Output, normally aspirated form, or as much as 300bhp when turbocharged. The engine sends its power to through a three-speed automatic transmission to the rear axle. Gear shifting is via a Hurst control lever to the driver's left. Chromed exhaust headers with integral mufflers exit the body on each side. Water and oil lines all appear to be of the wire-wrapped variety with Aeroquip-type connection fittings. The suspension is pro-forma sprint car, with solid axles at both ends, located by reinforced radius rods and damped by coil-over shock absorbers. The brakes appear to be four-wheel hydraulic discs. There is an outside control lever on the driver's left, as is the Pittman arm, again in traditional sprint car style, and there is a fuel pressure boost pump, also to the driver's left.

The lightweight classic bodywork features a lovely, rounded nose and grille, which are protected by a well-braced chromed rollbar, and there are front nerf bars and a rock screen bearing chromed script that reads "Streetrod". Similar protection is afforded to the rear. The bodywork, finished in yellow with red stripes, is adorned with a great deal of striping and other artwork.

The padded cockpit features a traditional thick lay-down steering wheel with padded hub plus a comprehensive set of instruments. The single "Lollypop" bucket seat contains a set of racing harnesses. There is a clear Plexiglas windscreen ahead of the driver, and a pair of racing mirrors at the edges of the cockpit. The wheels appear to be multi-piece aluminum with three-eared knock-off spinners, all shod with wide BFG T/A radial tires.

This intriguing automobile was apparently intended strictly for street use, as it is fitted with both headlights and taillights, and is currently registered in Quebec, with a license plate from that province. This car had been a featured exhibit at the Antique Automobile and Racing Car Museum in Bedford Indiana, until that facility closed and its contents sold. The consignor states that this is a very quick little automobile!
This vehicle is titled as a 1951 Chevrolet with the state issued VIN. MVIN324028IND