1958 Watson Leader Card Special at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

50th Anniversary of Indy Roadsters at Daytona

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Information on the 1958 Watson Leader Card Special

More photographs of the 1958 Watson Leader Card Special

One of the finest examples of the classic, uncomplicated oval-track Offenhauser-powered 'roadster' type chassis designed and built by A.J. Watson, this John Zink Leader Card Special was constructed during the winter of 1956-57. A front-row qualifier and early leader of the 1957 Indianapolis 500 in the hands of Troy Ruttman, this car's greatest success came during the two runnings of the 500-mile race conducted on the steeply banked concrete oval section of the circuit at Monza, Italy.

1958 brought a second attempt at the 'Race of Two Worlds' and, with it, an earnest effort by the Europeans to compete this time around. As a result, there were a number of robust European automotive models that were ready to race.

The American cars, including Jim Rathmann's Zink Leader Card Special, were all equipped with a 4.2-liter, 4-cylinder double-overhead cam Offenhauser engines and two-speed gearboxes. Firestone was the tire of choice, due to the fact that they were specifically designed to support the later forces of the ovals.

The format of the race was the same as the previous years: three 'heats', with one-hour breaks for maintenance and repair of the cars between each heat. It was also another hot day at Monza. 1958 Monza, however belonged to Jim Rathmann and Jim Rathmann alone. He won all three 'heats', finishing with an astonishing average speed of 166.72 mph. Unfortunately, the Automobile Club of Milan lost money on the race, and the 'Race of Two Worlds' would never be run again.

Also photographed at :

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance >> Open Wheel Race Cars

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance >> Special Display

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