Racer
Sold for $187,000 at 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions.
Auto racing has always had a couple of nagging questions it has had to address: 'How can we increase competition? And, how can the cars be made simpler and less expensive?' These questions existed from the very first days of auto racing and are a big emphasis of every series in existence today.
Back in 1930, the apparent answer to those questions came to be what was not-so-loving referred to as the 'Junk Formula.'
In 1928 Indianapolis Motor Speedway invited engineers from the auto industry to a meeting to discuss attracting a new class of competitors and finding ways to involve the car industry in technical innovations. Throughout the 1920s, the 500-mile race had come down to a battle literally between just two car types, the Duesenbergs and the Miller chassis. Because only a couple of purpose-built cars were winning the big race year after year, many other car manufacturers were turned away from racing. As with any motor racing series, the presence of many car manufacturers keeps the series healthy and wealthy because it helps to keep costs down. Purpose-built race cars are very expensive because they are few in number and replacement parts are likewise few in number. The meeting called by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was meant to address this very real challenge and to try and increase interest and competition. What was decided was that there would be a certain number of regulations imposed. As the new regulations favored production-based parts and components, the series was derogatorily called the 'Junk Formula' by many. The new regulations were not bad in everybody's eyes. Some saw it as their opportunity to get involved in motor racing. Among those who saw this as their opportunity were three businessmen from Pittsburgh. Angelo Lucenti, Roy Painter, and John Saunders started Lupasa.
The epitome of what the new regulations were intended to do, the Pittsburgh businessmen started out with a straight-eight engine from a Graham Blue Streak, and then, built a car up around it from more available production parts. When the car was finished being put together, Lupasa had a 265 cubic inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine car with a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Suspension for the car consisted of a solid front axle and live rear axle, both with semi-elliptic leaf springs. As could be expected, the body was narrow but wide enough for a driver and a mechanic.
Due to 'Junk Formula' survivors being incredibly few in number, and because of the condition of this example, Lucenti's Special is more commanding of attention and worthy of awards than when it first came to be seventy years ago. Truly this 'Junk' has become another's treasure.
Racer
Sold for $187,000 at 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions.
The Great Depression affected industries on a global scale. The automobile industry was not shielded from this catastrophe; many prominent and well-established businesses were forced to close their doors forever. The racing industry was the same; people were unwilling or unable to participate as either an entrant or a spectator as they had done prior to The Great Depression. To re-stimulate racing, Indy created the 'Junk Formula,' which was aimed at attracting low-cost racers and home-grown specials to participate. The rules were more relaxed, and the response was spectacular. In 1933, a total of 42 cars lined up for top honors. This caused other problems, or at least fueled problems that were already existent, mainly safety concerns. From 1931 through 1935, there were 15 fatalities. The problems were many, such as faster racing speeds, track conditions, and an increase in drivers. To help alleviate this problem, some of the bricks in parts of the track were removed and the area was repaved with tarmac.The supercharged 91 cubic-inch Millers and Duesenbergs of the 1920s had dominated the Indy racing scene. They were powerful, advanced and well-refined. To bring competition back to Indy, and to reduce the speeds, the Junk Formula was established. During the early 1930s, Angelo Lucenti, Roy W. Painter, and John C. Saunders created Lupasa. The name was formed from the surnames of these individuals, LUcenti, PAinter, and SAunders. The group was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the racer they created was formed mostly from spare parts. Under the bonnet was a straight-eight-cylinder Graham engine that displaced 265 cubic inches. To boost power even further, the engine was fitted with a high-lift cam and larger valves. Since the Junk Formula class did not allow superchargers, and the Graham came equipped with a centrifugal blower, it was removed and replaced with four Winfield Model SR carburetors.
The car was brought to Indianapolis for the 1932 500 race, where it failed to qualify. The car had been driven by Painter and his riding mechanic, Eddie Shearn. It was later raced at Syracuse, New York, with Bryan Saulspaugh at the wheel, and managed a 21st in qualifying. This was too slow to make the grid.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011
Racer
Sold for $187,000 at 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions.
This car was named after one of the owners, Angelo Lucenti, a plumbing contractor from Pittsburgh, PA. The car was based on the 1932 Graham 'Blue Streak' and built to super stock formula. In 1934, driven by Rookie Herb Andinger, the car averaged a qualifying speed of 111.722 mph and secured a spot in the middle of the fifth row. It finished 10th in the Indy 500, where it ran an average speed of 95.9 mph and won $1,425. It was powered by a straight-eight-cylinder Graham engine that displaced 265 cubic inches. It was also fitted with a Graham chassis.It returned to Indy in 1935 under a different name. It failed to qualify after sustaining minor damage hitting a wall during qualifying runs. The following day they managed a run of 106.6 mph but still did not qualify for the race.This original car has been restored as it last raced at Indy.
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