1960 Meskowski Race Car
THF90084 / 1960 Meskowski Race Car
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Artifact Overview
Between 1960 and 1963, A.J. Foyt won 13 of the 26 races he drove in this car. Under its hood is a version of the famous Offenhauser engine designed by Harry Miller and refined by Fred Offenhauser. "Offy" engines powered their first Indianapolis 500 winner in 1935 and their last in 1976. The final turbocharged versions pumped out 1,000 horsepower.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Racing car
Date Made
1960
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Car was built by Wally Meskowski of Indianapolis, Indiana for Bowes Seal Fast team, Indianapolis, Indiana. Paint scheme was devised by Dean Jeffries.
Location
at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America
Object ID
2008.101.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Aluminum
Steel (Alloy)
Rubber (Material)
Leather
Plexiglas (TM)
Technique
Handmade
Color
White (Color)
Red
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 51 in
Width: 60 in (Front Track)
Length: 161 in
Weight: 1895 lbs
Inscriptions
On front nose: 1
On left and right side of hood: BOWES / SEAL / FAST
On right side near cockpit: [cartoon of hands on steering wheel] A. J. Foyt / [cartoon of wrench] Geo. Bignotti
Decal, on left near cockpit: EQUIPPED / WITH / PERFECT / CIRCLE / PISTON RINGS
On back left and right: 1
Specifications
Make & Model: 1960 Meskowski (oval track racing)
Maker: Wally Meskowski, Indianapolis, Indiana
Engine: Meyer and Drake "Offenhauser" inline-4, double overhead cams, 255 cubic inches
Transmission: 2-speed manual
Height: 51 inches
Width: 60 inches
Wheelbase: 96 inches
Overall length: 161 inches
Weight: 1895 pounds
Horsepower: 400 at 6000 revolutions per minute
Pounds per horsepower: 4.7
Competition History: Winner of 13 100-mile championship races, 1960–63, all driven by A.J. Foyt. Won at DuQuoin, Illinois (three times); Langhorne, Pennsylvania (three times); Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis (twice); Sacramento, California (twice); Trenton, New Jersey (twice); and Phoenix, Arizona.
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