1961 Chenowth Racing Special Roadster

Chuck Chenowth was the son of a San Diego hot rodder and the owner of San Diego Steel products, a company that produced headers. The San Diego Steel Products Roadster was the first Chevrolet V8 engine to attempt a qualifying fun at Indy. After arriving too late to qualify in 1960, he returned in 1961 and had engine failure during qualification trials. This Chevy-powered car had given notice to the Offy engines. Two years later, in 1963, Mickey Thompson brought two Chevy-powered cars which qualified to run the 500.

It was also widely known for its immaculate workmanship and low, sleek lines. It is believed by many to be the most beautiful roadster ever built. Its most notable win came in 1977, as the Roberts Steel Erection Roadster at the Little 500 at Anderson, Indiana, with Jeff Bloom driving.

1961 was Chevrolet's first attempt to qualify a 255 cubic-inch V-8 small block at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1964 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, this car set a world record for open-wheel cars for one lap on a 1.5-mile track at 157.4 mph. In 1977 this car won the 'Little 500' at Anderson, In with Jeff Bloom driving. This Indianapolis car received a great deal of media attention as Chevrolet attempted to challenge the Offenhauser engines. The chassis was built by Chuck Chenowth/ San Diego Steel Products. The body was built by Eddie Kuzma & Don Brown. This car was retired in 1983.

• First Chevy V8 to attempt a qualifying run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1961.

• Won the 'Little 500 at Anderson, Indiana in 1977 with Jeff Bloom driving.

• Built in 1960, Retired in 1983, Restored to 1961 configuration.

• The car received a great deal of media attention from:
The use of a Chevy V8 to challenge the dominance of Offenhauser engine at Indy.
The outstanding craftsmanship in the car.


• This car is credited in some circles with starting the 'Roadster Revolution' in sprint car racing.

• Greg Weld once said, 'It was the most immaculate race car I ever saw. It was absolutely a work of art. There wasn't one weld on the car that wasn't flawless and perfect.'

• This car was raced extensively from 1973 through 1983 in USAC, TRI-SAC and outlaw races as the Roberts Steel Erection Roadster.

• It was driven by such notable drivers as Mike Magill, Greg Weld, Bob Hurt, Bob Pratt, Al Smith, Cy Fairchild, Tom Sneva, Ray Wright, Duke Cook, Johnny Logan, Marv Carman and Jeff Bloom.

Source - sdsproadster.com