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In 1962 Lujie Lesovsky bought this car's plans from A.J. Watson and was commissioned by Elmer and Mari Hulman George to build this offset Offenhauser-powered roadster. Elmer qualified 17th for the 1962 Indy 500, but finished 30th with a seized engine. In 1963 Elmer qualified 28th at Indy, but retired after 21 laps with handling problems.
Mel Kenyon took over driving the roadster on the 1964 USAC circuit at Milwaukee, Trenton, and Phoenix, never finishing better than 5th. On June 20th, 1965, at Langhorne, PA, Mel Kenyon's engine blew, causing a fiery crash that put Mel in the hospital fighting for his life. Joe Leonard, whose car was involved in the same crash, was credited for helping him out of the flames.
The car eventually went into storage and sat unmolested at Richard Kemerly's Chevrolet dealership for a number of years. Its restoration was completed in the early 1990s to its 1962 Indy 500 'Sarkes Tarzian' livery with the distinctive nose style.
In 1998 it was acquired by the Milhous Collection. It has been displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The roadster was acquired from the Milhous Collection in 2012 by Tom Malloy, and went through a five-month full in-house restoration.
- Lujie Lesovsky purchased a set of plans from A.J. Watson and was commissioned by Mari Hulman George to build this offset Offenhauser-powered roadster
- Entered in the 1962 Indianapolis 500, Elmer George qualified 17th but the car suffered an engine failure and was credited in 30th place
- Mel Kenyon later drove this Offy roadster to a 4th at the Milwaukee Mile in 1964
Drivers:
- Elmer George
- Mel Kenyon
Mel Kenyon took over driving the roadster on the 1964 USAC circuit at Milwaukee, Trenton, and Phoenix, never finishing better than 5th. On June 20th, 1965, at Langhorne, PA, Mel Kenyon's engine blew, causing a fiery crash that put Mel in the hospital fighting for his life. Joe Leonard, whose car was involved in the same crash, was credited for helping him out of the flames.
The car eventually went into storage and sat unmolested at Richard Kemerly's Chevrolet dealership for a number of years. Its restoration was completed in the early 1990s to its 1962 Indy 500 'Sarkes Tarzian' livery with the distinctive nose style.
In 1998 it was acquired by the Milhous Collection. It has been displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The roadster was acquired from the Milhous Collection in 2012 by Tom Malloy, and went through a five-month full in-house restoration.
- Lujie Lesovsky purchased a set of plans from A.J. Watson and was commissioned by Mari Hulman George to build this offset Offenhauser-powered roadster
- Entered in the 1962 Indianapolis 500, Elmer George qualified 17th but the car suffered an engine failure and was credited in 30th place
- Mel Kenyon later drove this Offy roadster to a 4th at the Milwaukee Mile in 1964
Drivers:
- Elmer George
- Mel Kenyon
2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $250,000
Sale Price :
USD $330,000
Recent Sales of the Lesovsky Special
(Data based on Model Year 1962 sales)
1962 Lesovsky Indianapolis Roadster Sold for USD$330,000 2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla |
Lesovsky Specials That Failed To Sell At Auction
1962 Lesovsky Special's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
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1962 Lesovsky Special
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