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RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
1910-1932
1933-1941
1947-1955
1956-1959
1960-1966
1967-2010
1960-1966 Vehicles
1960 BMW Isetta 300
1960 Fiat Abarth 850 Allemano
1960 Imperial Crown
1962 Dual Ghia L6.4
1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II
1963 Watson Indy Roadster
1964 Amphicar 770
1964 Pontiac Banshee Concept
1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
 
  • Information on the 1963 Watson Indy Roadster
  • More photographs of the 1963 Watson Indy Roadster
  • 1963 Watson Indy Roadster1963 Watson Indy Roadster1963 Watson Indy Roadster

    1963 Watson Indy RoadsterDuring the late 1950s, the cars built by A.J. Watson were among the most successful to race at Indy. A.J. Watson was an Air Force navigator, then attended Glendale College on the G.I. Bill and later worked at Lockheed Aircraft.
    The first car he built designed for racing was a Ford based Hot Rod prepared for oval track racing. In 1948 he went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway serving as a mechanic. By 1950, he had designed and built his own Indy competitor. The cost of building and campaigning the car was too great so Watson eventually returned to the assembly line at Lockheed Aircraft. He left on day prior to the Indy 500 in 1951, with his sole focus turned on automotive racing. In 1954 he signed with John Zink Jr.'s team serving as the chief mechanic. Using a Kurtis Roadster, he made several modifications and improvements, and in the capable hands of Bob Sweikert, the vehicle emerged from the 1955 Indy 500 in first place. The following year he built a Indy roadster of his own design. The car would emerge victorious. His cars would win again in 1959, 1960, 1962, and 1963. In total, there were 23 Indy Roadsters created by A.J. Watson.

    This A.J. Watson Indy Roadster was driven by Len Sutton as the number 7 Leader Card team car. It is shown restored in the 1964 Diet Rite Cola #95 style, as driven by Chuck Stevenson. The car ran the Champ Car circuit through 1966, and was then run as a 'super modified' at Oswego before being restored.

    Also photographed at :
  • Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction >> 1959-1963
  • Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction >> Race Cars (1961 - 1973)