|
|
Post by gwstexas on Aug 8, 2015 9:18:13 GMT -5
I spoke with Gary Doucette yesterday and he has a new kit on the way. This one will be the Autolite Spl. Quin Epperly laydown roadster driven in the 1961 500 by Lloyd Ruby. The kit will have markings for both Ruby and Tony Bettenhausen, who was scheduled to drive the car but died in a practice crash testing another car for his friend Paul Russo.
Gary says the kit should be ready in the near future and he is taking pre-orders now. If you'd like to order one, Gary can be reached at (416) 265-6430.
Best,
Gary
|
|
|
|
Post by clm1545 on Aug 8, 2015 9:35:49 GMT -5
Seems like Gary has made it his mission, in life, to keep me broke. So far it's working.  |
|
|
|
Post by raceparke on Aug 8, 2015 13:36:08 GMT -5
X2
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyc on Aug 8, 2015 15:28:39 GMT -5
LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by racerbrown on Aug 8, 2015 15:52:01 GMT -5
broke yeah, but it sure is fun…
duane
|
|
|
|
Post by gwstexas on Aug 9, 2015 9:45:32 GMT -5
Thought I'd add a little more history for the Autolite Spl. for the youngsters (under 60) on the board. This car was actually built by Quinn Epperly in 1960, and entered at the Speedway as the Braund Plywood Spl., but it didn't arrive until the Wednesday before the final weekend of qualifications. Bill Cheesbourg never had a chance to get up to speed. Later in that season, Dick Rathmann and Parnelli Jones both drove it (now called the Detroiter Mobile Homes Spl.) Parnelli was hired by Agajanian for the '61 500 and he wanted Aggie to buy the car, but while Aggie was trying to decide, Lindsey Hopkins bought it for Tony B. Aggie and Parnelli stuck with the '60 Watson, which came to be known as "Calhoun." Tony B. came just short of the magic 150 mph mark in practice and many thought he would reach that milestone on Pole Day. Unfortunately Tony never had the chance. After Tony's death, Lloyd Ruby qualified at the second fastest speed in the field. The 150 mph barrier would have to wait another year until Parnelli broke it in "Calhoun."
Sorry for such a long post, but it's an interesting story about three great drivers and two great cars.
Best,
Gary
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyc on Aug 10, 2015 19:09:05 GMT -5
Don't ever apologize for telling us neat historical stories like that! I love to hear those things. I'm over sixty but still am not that familiar with the inside scoop on a lot of race cars, drivers, and owners. Thanks for sharing that with us!
|
|
|
|
Post by clm1545 on Aug 10, 2015 19:36:59 GMT -5
Don't ever apologize for telling us neat historical stories like that! I love to hear those things. I'm over sixty but still am not that familiar with the inside scoop on a lot of race cars, drivers, and owners. Thanks for sharing that with us! That goes for me too. Bob. I enjoy all those stories. |
|
|
|
Post by lance on Aug 10, 2015 22:25:17 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Art Laski on Aug 12, 2015 21:52:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the history lesson, Gary. Quin Epperly was a good friend of my stepmom's dad, and this year when I went to Indy, I sat with John Epperly, Quin's son, and John's daughter. It was nice meeting them and we had a great time hearing his perspective on his dad's legacy. Troy Ruttman's daughter, Toddie, was also with us. Ironically, she was rooting for Sage Karam, who was the only driver in the field eligible to break Troy's record of being the youngest winner. He's got one more shot next year, if he can keep a ride...
|
|
|
|
Post by racerbrown on Aug 13, 2015 7:02:43 GMT -5
great stories and a classic picture from lance too!
i always love studying these types of pictures and see what's going on in the background as well as the main subject.
duane
|
|
|
|
Post by clm1545 on Aug 13, 2015 9:12:24 GMT -5
I too enjoy those vintage photos, Duane. All those guys wearing coats, and ties is something you will never see today. In some ways, I think we have gone way too far. I have seen people wearing jeans, and shorts, at a funeral.  |
|
|
|
Post by joe on Aug 13, 2015 11:57:25 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing. I remember Mr. Hulman at the track no matter what the weather in a suit and tie.
|
|
|
|
Post by jamesharvey on Aug 18, 2015 12:08:28 GMT -5
I started working for USAC at Indy in 1963 as a serial scorer. We showed up every work day in a suit and tie. Even scored the race that way. Even many women were dressed up as well in summer dresses and hats. It sure was a different time.
Jim
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2015 11:11:59 GMT -5
Hi, everyone. Newbie poking around the boards. That is a really fascinating photo. Does anyone know what is going on with the front suspension? Are those coil springs inside the wheels? Dis this beastie have sliding pillar front suspension similar to a Morgan? A very interesting car from a very interesting time, that's for sure  |
|
|
|
Post by kip on Oct 6, 2015 13:24:54 GMT -5
Received my Epperly from Gary yesterday. It looks very nice. Resin is smooth, no pinholes. The panel lines are very much crisper than some past bodies. Decals look great. A very nice kit.
kip
|
|
|
|
Post by beardogracing on Oct 6, 2015 13:50:50 GMT -5
Hi Marc,
Those things inside the wheels are calipers for the disc brakes, the suspension is via torsion bars inside that tube at the front, ala VW.
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyc on Oct 6, 2015 18:20:48 GMT -5
I saw the Epperly and Porter cars on Ebay, but I have to build the 1956 Dean Van Lines car before I get any more kits. Gary sent me the good resin body, but I started the USS West Virginia 1945 while waiting for it, and now I need to finish that build before I do the race car. LOL.
|
|
|
|
Post by alterrenner on Oct 7, 2015 4:56:25 GMT -5
Yes. What you are seeing are the ribs on the calipers. You've got a point, though. The ribs do look a lot like coil springs at first glance!
--Frank
|
|
|
|
Post by gwstexas on Oct 7, 2015 9:03:21 GMT -5
Hey all, just a little update on Gary D's Autolite kit. While getting the decals ready, Gary and I noticed something interesting. The Autolite logo on the hood changed between practice and qualifying. The practice version lettering was taller and quite a bit thinner than the blocky race day version. The decals for Gary's kit include both versions and driver lettering for both Lloyd Ruby and Tony B. The qualifying photos of the car show the earlier Autolite logo. Apparently the change was made just before race day.
Best,
Gary
|
|
Pro Tech | MAD | Scale Motorsport
