It all started last week with a post from writer, Jeff Olson, staking claim to his picks for the Top Ten Historic Indy 500 Cars. Fans jumped in with an overwhelmingly response via Facebook, Twitter, and the IMS blog to approve, disapprove, and most importantly, share their memories of the best-looking cars to race in the Indianapolis 500.
While it became clear that picking a perfect top ten is nearly impossible, fans had fun commenting back and forth to share their picks and the IMS staff had a great time reading them! Here’s quick glance at some of the fan-submitted picks for the best-looking, historic Indy 500 cars:
1956 Novi
1972 Sunoco Special
1973 Eagle-Offy
1954 Fuel Injection Special
1981 Interscope Cosworth
1928 Miller Special
1977 Coyote-Foyt
1961 Cooper
1963 Curtis Novi
1957 Belond Special
Thanks for sharing your picks for the best-looking historic Indy 500 cars, keep an eye out on Facebook and Twitter in the coming months for an exciting announcement from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a fun, fan-driven contest where your picks and memories will decide the winner AND give you a chance at some pretty cool prizes.
In the meantime, watch for the latest article from Jeff Olson on the IMS website next week– fans of the 1982 Indy 500 will hear about A.J. Foyt’s ill-fated efforts to pull out a win. Or keep the conversation going right here, what do you think of our fan picks for the top ten historic Indy 500 cars?
[...] Thank you, fans, for the great comments on this blog post. Catch the follow-up blog post with YOUR picks for the best-looking, historic Indy 500 cars here. [...]
The 1977 Coyote-Foyt receives my vote.
gotta vote for the car that got me hooked on indycar
Lonestar JR’s 1980 Pennzoil Chaparral
My vote: either the ’57 Sam Hanks winner or any of the ’72-’73 Eagles, especially liked the ’72 #48 Mystery Eagle.
1956 Novi. It was not only beautiful, but was one of the many innovative cars brought to the Speedway by Andy Granatelli. It embodied the spirit of innovation that was the impetus for the creation of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
So it seems like no one likes the new cars from the 90′s on. My vote out of the fan submitted top ten is the ’77 Coyote-Foyt.
I think the Vicroy Specials should be in there.
I might be bias but I would have to say Jim Hurtubise’s 1960 purple Novi…it was beautiful!
Jeff Olson’s original piece addressed asthetics. Which car looked the best? Does anyone remember the Pepsi Challenger Gurney Eagle Chevy #48 that Mike Moseley drove? Neat looking car that sounded different too. Mike started in LAST PLACE at Milwaukee and WON in that car. Scott Brayton’s Amway sponsored cars were cool too. They were mostly pearl/white with hot pink and blue streaks.
1. Scott Braytons 1995 Pole Winning Green Quaker State #60. 2. 2000 had a few good looking cars, Dares #88 Buzz Calkins half black half white # 12 Greg Ray #1
The cars that were best looking in my mind tend to be, with some exception, the failures–
1968 “Wedge” Turbine
1969 4WD Lotus that Mario destroyed
The original Novis
The Cummins Diesel that Agabashian put on pole
The Vels-Parnellis
But if you ask me the best looking winner–
Bobby Unser’s 1975 Eagle
I gotta say, I still love Brabham’s ’61 Cooper.
There are two that I cannot believe you missed:
1. The winning Lotus Ford from Jim Clark – 1965.
2. The winning Penzoil Chapparal – surely the prettiest in history
just FYI, Chick Beckley, Andy Granitelli had nothing to do with the NOVI until 1963. Before that Lou Welch owned the NOvis and Jean Marcenac was chief mechanic on the Novis When they reppeared at the Speedway in 1956, 57, 58 and 59 it was still Welch and Marcenac. Andy Granitelli brought the NOVI back to the Speedway in 63 with B Unser and Art Malone as the drivers.
I always liked Al Unser’s Johnny Lightning cars from 1970 and 1971. Those were beautiful cars.
you’ve got my favorite on there- Donohue’s ’72 winner.
the best looking Eagle however was probably Bobby Unser’s ’75 winner
another classic is the “99 Belond Special that won in ’51 with Lee Wallard on board- the museum has that one I think
ooops- I meant to say #99 Bellanger Special in ’51
The main reason so many of you like the Gurney Eagle #48 that Bobby Unser won with in ’75 is the wash job it received on the way to Victory Lane! The just slightly darker than baby blue color was catching, I must admit.
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