1951 Tomshe Offy Indy Roadster

This Indy car, known as 'Tuffy's Offy,' was built by Fred Tomshe and owned by George Tuffanelli, who ran the Chicago south side for Al Capone. This historic upright Indy car was used to attempt to qualify for the 1951 Indy 500 by Ray Knepper.

The car ran the 1951 Milwaukee Mile, where it started 17th and finished 12th. It also ran at Langhorne, PA, in 1951.

The car is listed on the Historical Register of Competition cars, registry #069. It has recently been restored and has been used in competition at the Monterey Historics on three different occasions.

Powering the Indy racer is a 270 cubic-inch Offenhauser engine with a fuel-injection system and methanol fuel. There is a Joe Hunt magneto, Offenhauser 2-speed hi/lo transmission, a Halibrand quick-change rear, Jones chronometric mechanical tachometer, and original magnesium Halibrand wheels.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011