1959 Watson Indy Roadster

At Indianapolis on May 21, 1960, rookie sensation Jim Hurtubise drove the A.J. Watson-built 'Travelon Trailer Special' to a new one-lap qualifying record of 149.601 and a four-lap average of 149.056. He had made his qualifying attempt at noon on the last day of qualifying as the dark clouds moved in. His first lap was the fastest ever clocked at Indy - 148.002 MPH. Second at 149.229, third at 149.601, and the fourth at 149.056, 2.464 MPH faster than Eddie Sachs who had qualified on the first day of qualifying.

Hurtubise started the race in 23rd, made it up to 8th by lap 10, 5th by lap 32. Hurtubise made it to lap 182 when an oil tank leak caused a connecting rod failure, ending his day at the Indianapolis 500 with an 18th-place finish. Hurtubise earned the honor of being named 'Rookie of the Year.'

Built in 1959, the car qualified for five consecutive Indianapolis 500-mile races.

The chassis was designed and built by A.J Watson and was powered by a two-liter Alfa Romeo engine backed by a five-speed Alfa Romeo transmission. It had a Franklin Quick Change rear end.