1960 Watson Indy Roadster Roadster

Indy Car builder Wayne 'Fat Boy' Ewing was one of the great characters and metal artists of Indy's Roadster era. His metal-shaping skills were legendary. The #76 Joe Hunt Magneto Special is one of just two cars he created on AJ Watson's roadster theme. It raced at Indy only one year – 1960 – but made the annual trek to the Brickyard through 1964 when the rear engine 'funny car' revolution was in full bloom.

This 1960 Joe Hunt Magneto Special is completely original. It retains its original striking paint job designed by Tommy Hunt (14 years old), the son of Joe Hunt. The first race was at the 1960 Indy 500 where it was piloted by 33-year-old Al Herman, former rookie of the year at Indy. This low-budget team was able to qualify the vehicle at a speed of 141.838 mph. (Eddie Sachs drove the other 'Watson Copy' to the pole position with a qualifying speed of 146.592.) Herman maneuvered the Hunt car into 16th place by the first pit stop at 34 laps, but the clutch blew as he exited the pits and was classified as 32nd for the day.

In the 1961 Indy race, the car did not qualify, driven in three separate attempts by Danny Jones, Don Freeland, and Paul Russo. In 1962, three more unsuccessful qualifying attempts were made by Keith Rachewitz, Chuck Arnold and Jim Hurtubise. In 1963, Jimmy Daywalt and Chuck Rodee were unsuccessful in qualifying the car, and Chuck Rodee was again unsuccessful at qualifying for the Indy in 1964. This car also raced at Milwaukee, Hanford, and Phoenix with such drivers as George Snider, Carl Williams, and Bob Hunt. It also raced at Oswego as a Chevy-powered super-modified racer.

The car was restored by Roger Beck/Reilly Restoration and is maintained by Reilly Restoration. The #76 now sports its proper Indy 500 livery as designed by sponsor Joe Hunt's 14-year-old son. In 1961 the other Ewing roadster made history finishing second with Eddie Sachs – the 'Clown Prince of auto racing' -- in his monumental duel with AJ Foyt who scored the first of his four Indy 500 wins.