1960 Meskowski Schmidt Special

Article

Chassis #: WM2

Built for Peter Schmidt of St Louise, Missouri, by Wally Meskowski for the Indy 500. Meskowski also served as Schmidt's crew Chief. As #44 Driven by Bob Veith, the car qualified 25th and finished 8th, running as high as 5th prior to a long pit stop.

1961: Entered again in the Indy 500 by Schmidt, driven by Jack Rounds, the car threw a rod during time trials and did not qualify.

1962: now owned by Ray Howard, the car was repainted as the 'Turtle Drilling Spl' #23. Piloted by Leon Clum, the car failed to qualify following a 145.36 mph attempt, while at the speedway, it was driven by Jim Hurtubise as a camera car, following the 1962 race, the car was placed in storage.

1976: car 'Discovered' and purchased by Ron Kellogg of Whittier, California, and preserved in its 'turtle Drilling Special livery, in 1979 it was driven in a four-lap exhibition at Ontario Motor Speedway by Sam Hanks.

1983: Now owned by Patrick Lindsay of England, the car participated in many vintage events. During this time, the car received its FIA rating and was driven and written about by noted British driver Willie Greene.

1998: Now owned by Larry Menser of Carmel Highlands, California, the car was repainted to reflect its 1960 Indy appearance. Menser added a fuel cell, a 4-speed transmission, Girling disk brakes, a fire system and custom Koni shocks, retaining all the original parts. Menser drove the car in many west coast vintage events.

2004: Now owned by Bill and Barbara Boone, they look forward to active vintage racing in the near future, although Barbara is still trying to figure out how Bill talked her into buying, an old race car with only one seat.