Post by alwaysindy on Feb 13, 2023 23:07:24 GMT -5
Gentlemen:
The Novi is one of the most famous cars to grace the Indy 500. The story begins in 1941, when the famed motor is set into a 1935 Miller Ford front wheel drive. The car has incredible horsepower and torque and Ralph Hepburn puts a wood block under the accelerator to keep from flooring the accelerator and spinning the tires at high speeds(!). He comes in fourth.
When the Speedway reopens in 1946, a new car (with Kurtis chassis), isn’t ready on first day qualifying but shows it’s speed by out qualifying the Pole winner by 7 mph(!). Note where the 3 carburetors are located behind the firewall…
Starts 19th and is in the lead in 12 laps. But gremlins strike, and the “Novi Curse” is born…
Dan Parke’s build of this car here: mb2501.proboards.com/thread/10659/novi-beginnings-finished
So when 1947 rolls around, the Novi is one of the favorites. The car has been repainted and has a new sponsor in Mobil. Also, Welch gets Frank Kurtis to build another chassis, so there are 2 entries in ‘47. Cliff Bergere and Herb Ardinger are the drivers. Bergere spins a few times...
But he qualifies second in the #18 car. Ardinger qualifies 4th.Front row 1947:
Bergere leads the first 23 laps, but is out on lap 62. When Ardinger pits #54, Bergere takes over and finishes 4th.
Here’s where I am…
Seat detail…
Later that year, a canopy is made and the Novi is sent to Bonneville to Ab Jenkins, a veteran of several speed runs.
He's sick, so he gets his son Marv to attempt the runs. With fingers crossed, the younger Jenkins sets 5 National Class D records with the fastest being 179.434...
Moving along…
Comments, questions welcomed!Thanks for looking!
Tim
The Novi is one of the most famous cars to grace the Indy 500. The story begins in 1941, when the famed motor is set into a 1935 Miller Ford front wheel drive. The car has incredible horsepower and torque and Ralph Hepburn puts a wood block under the accelerator to keep from flooring the accelerator and spinning the tires at high speeds(!). He comes in fourth.
When the Speedway reopens in 1946, a new car (with Kurtis chassis), isn’t ready on first day qualifying but shows it’s speed by out qualifying the Pole winner by 7 mph(!). Note where the 3 carburetors are located behind the firewall…
Starts 19th and is in the lead in 12 laps. But gremlins strike, and the “Novi Curse” is born…
Dan Parke’s build of this car here: mb2501.proboards.com/thread/10659/novi-beginnings-finished
So when 1947 rolls around, the Novi is one of the favorites. The car has been repainted and has a new sponsor in Mobil. Also, Welch gets Frank Kurtis to build another chassis, so there are 2 entries in ‘47. Cliff Bergere and Herb Ardinger are the drivers. Bergere spins a few times...
But he qualifies second in the #18 car. Ardinger qualifies 4th.Front row 1947:
Bergere leads the first 23 laps, but is out on lap 62. When Ardinger pits #54, Bergere takes over and finishes 4th.
Here’s where I am…
Seat detail…
Later that year, a canopy is made and the Novi is sent to Bonneville to Ab Jenkins, a veteran of several speed runs.
He's sick, so he gets his son Marv to attempt the runs. With fingers crossed, the younger Jenkins sets 5 National Class D records with the fastest being 179.434...
Moving along…
Comments, questions welcomed!Thanks for looking!
Tim
