1935 Shaw Indy Special Boattail Racer

This Indianapolis 500 racing car was built by Myron Stevens and Roscoe Dunning for Gil Pirrung. It is a vehicle that houses several innovative and thoroughly modern features including the Offenhauser engine. This was one of the very first vehicles to be powered by an 'Offy' engine and it was one of the earliest cars to wear the 'Offenhauser Engineering Co' badge. Power from the engine is sent to the front wheels, in a similar fashion to the Miller FWD Indy racers. Front wheel drive was highly uncommon and never has been very popular in racing. Many believe it was asking too much of the front end to be responsible for the bulk of the vehicle's weight, the steering, much of the braking, and to propel the car forward.

The FWD system for the Pirrung Special was designed by Leo Goosen and Wilbur Shaw. It was completed in time for the 1935 edition of the Indianapolis 500. It was paired with a second Pirrung Special (number 8) which had been created for Doc MacKenzie. Wilbur Shaw drove the number 14 along with riding mechanic Myron Stevens. As the checkered flag fell signaling the end of the race, the #14 Pirrung Special managed to score an impressive 2nd overall behind Kelly Petillo. The #14 would return again in 1936 and 1937, though unable to match the success of the 1935 season. In 1938, the second seat was removed in order to comply with the single-man formula specification and again raced at Indy. In 1939, the car was involved in an accident, and was retired from racing.

Its significance in history was not forgotten. The car was rebuilt and brought to the Monterey Historic Races in 2007 in celebration of the Indianapolis 500 feature. The restoration work was performed by Phil Riley and Company.