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1930 Belanger Indy Special news, pictures, and information | ||
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This Indianapolis Racer began its life in 1930 and continued to be raced until 1950 capturing many historic finishes and enduring a very prestigious career. The original chassis was constructed by Myron Stevens and delivered to its driver Louis Meyer. Meyer opted not to drive the car at the 1930 Indianapolis race, so Stevens drove it to an impressive fourth place finish. From that year until 1950, this race car would visit Indianapolis almost religiously until 1950, missing only a few years. It never did capture the checkered flag but was able to score fourth-place finishes in two races.
The car was driven by many famous drivers, had multiple engines and bodies, and adorned in a plethora of paint colors. Throughout its long lifespan it proudly wore the advertisements for a number of sponsors including Jadson Valves and Gilmore Oil.
Under the hood was a eight-cylinder Miller racing engine. When it was acquired in 1935 by a individual named 'Marks', the name of the vehicle was changed to 'Marks-Miller'. In 1936 ownership once again changed and so did the name. Mr. Murrell Belanger purchased the car at after the Indianapolis 500 race and the car became known as the 'Belanger-Miller' car. The paint scheme was again changed and again saw track time at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1936. The following year the car suffered a broken crank-shaft during a qualifying run which resulting in a wreck. Myron Stevens undertook the task of rebuilding the car. The job was superb enough to land it a role in the MGM movie 'Burn 'Em Up, O'Conner' where it played a starring role next to Jack Oakie and Dennis O'Keefe.
For 1939 and 1941, the racer was not entered into the Indianapolis 500 race. In 1940 it was given a four-cylinder Offenhauser engine. The car was later sold to Tony Bettenhausen who replace the Offenhauser engine with the original Miller 8-cylinder engine. It changed hands again in 1947 and a supercharged Offenhauser engine was place under the hood and replace the 8-cylinder unit.
In 1950 it was again on the big-screen starring in the movie 'To Please A Lady' which featured Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck.
This car has had an impressive career and brings with it a history that is virtually unmatched by any other race car. To compete for twenty years and still be competitive is astonishing. This 'Belanger Special' has been restored to its original configuration and paint scheme.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2006
The car was driven by many famous drivers, had multiple engines and bodies, and adorned in a plethora of paint colors. Throughout its long lifespan it proudly wore the advertisements for a number of sponsors including Jadson Valves and Gilmore Oil.
Under the hood was a eight-cylinder Miller racing engine. When it was acquired in 1935 by a individual named 'Marks', the name of the vehicle was changed to 'Marks-Miller'. In 1936 ownership once again changed and so did the name. Mr. Murrell Belanger purchased the car at after the Indianapolis 500 race and the car became known as the 'Belanger-Miller' car. The paint scheme was again changed and again saw track time at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1936. The following year the car suffered a broken crank-shaft during a qualifying run which resulting in a wreck. Myron Stevens undertook the task of rebuilding the car. The job was superb enough to land it a role in the MGM movie 'Burn 'Em Up, O'Conner' where it played a starring role next to Jack Oakie and Dennis O'Keefe.
For 1939 and 1941, the racer was not entered into the Indianapolis 500 race. In 1940 it was given a four-cylinder Offenhauser engine. The car was later sold to Tony Bettenhausen who replace the Offenhauser engine with the original Miller 8-cylinder engine. It changed hands again in 1947 and a supercharged Offenhauser engine was place under the hood and replace the 8-cylinder unit.
In 1950 it was again on the big-screen starring in the movie 'To Please A Lady' which featured Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck.
This car has had an impressive career and brings with it a history that is virtually unmatched by any other race car. To compete for twenty years and still be competitive is astonishing. This 'Belanger Special' has been restored to its original configuration and paint scheme.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2006
 |  |  | Indy Roadster Chassis Num: 1540 |
| Sold for $192,500 at 2009 RM Auctions. | |||
In 1936, this car came under the ownership of Murrell Belanger-hence, the name. After a devastating wreck in 1937, Myron Stevens rebuilt the car. Shortly after that, it starred in the Hollywood film 'Burm 'Em Up, O'Conner'. In 1950, it hit the 'big screen' again in the film 'To Please A Lady,' starring Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck.
The Belanger Special race car has seen many different owners, paint schemes and engines. Today, it is restored to the 1949 configuration which includes a 325 horsepower Offenhauser Dual Overhead Cam, 270 cubic-inch power plant that was originally installed in 1940.
In 2009, this Belanger Special was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey sale presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $192,500, including buyer's premium.
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