1956 Kuzma-Offenhauser Indianapolis Roadster

Motorsport Hall of Famer Eddie Kuzma, or “Kazoom,” was rightly inducted in 2003 for the huge impact that he had on the industry from 1951 to 1969. In that period, he was responsible for building and refining numerous Indy cars built at his Los Angeles shop. Highlights include Troy Ruttman’s 1952 winning car and tweaks that helped give Mario Andretti his 1969 win. This Kuzma-Offenhauser Indianapolis Roadster is a superb example of Kuzma’s early work, with a documented history beginning with its build for the 1956 Indianapolis 500. Chassis 101 debuted in D.A. Lubricant Co. livery, driven by Bob Sweikert and wearing No. 1. Reflecting Sweikert’s Indy successes, this example was raced to 6th place and marked Sweikert’s last major placing before his untimely death later that year. Chassis 101 returned to the Indy 500 in 1957 wearing No. 10 and was driven by Johnny Thomson, who brought the 11th place starter to a 12th place finish. The car remained with the same sponsorship in 1958, although that year’s drivers, Al Herman and Fred Agabashian, were not able to make qualifying speeds. Thomson was reunited with chassis 101 at the famous Monza Race of Two Worlds later that year and finished a respectable 14th. For 1959, the car was rebadged as the Helse Special, an amalgamation of the first names of its new owners, Herbert and Else Johnson. Wearing No. 57 and piloted by AJ Keller, chassis 101 started in 28th that year and finished in 18th place. For 1960, the car underwent a few physical changes in keeping with styling trends: the hood and nose were lowered, and the frame was set up to accommodate a 255 Chevy engine by Johnson’s mechanic Bruce Crower. In this configuration, it was featured on the cover of Hot Rod magazine, with its new powerplant being lowered into the car. Al Keller once again took the wheel that year, but was not able to qualify. Chassis 101’s racing career was effectively over at this point, and the car returned to San Diego, California, where its Offenhauser engine was reinstalled. Herbert Johnson stopped racing shortly afterwards and, according to a copy of a Bill of Sale on file, Johnson sold the Kuzma to George Burback on September 18, 1964, for the princely sum of $3,500. Remarkably, the car remained with Burback for nearly 40 years. When it was acquired by its next owner, respected historian Greg Schneider, in 2003, the Kuzma was in much the same shape as it had been when it retired from competition decades earlier. Since joining the Price Museum of Speed, chassis 101 has been carefully preserved and today remains an exceptionally evocative example of Eddie Kuzma’s early work, ready for its next caretaker. Please note that this vehicle has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to use. car

Estimate:£168,791.62

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