what's this car?

[brickyard]

Hi,

I've found a car (supermodified) that seems to be an old Indycar. Can someone identify it?

Look here at the 4th photo (the #63 yellow and red car)

[Jamski]

Hi,

I've found a car (supermodified) that seems to be an old Indycar. Can someone identify it?

Look here at the 4th photo (the #63 yellow and red car)

I believe that's the '74 Riley Rocket, with the '75 nose. Hamilton tried to run it at Indy circa 1981 with a Chevy replacing the original Offy. The number's right, at any rate.

[Jamski]

Additional info: the car was designed by Bob Riley and was something of a refinement of Coyote design Riley had done for Foyt. There's a complete story in the '74 Hungness Indy 500 Yearbook, but in summary...the car was pretty radical for the time, all the suspension below the hub centerline, making the car very clean aerodynamically. The car was never hugely successful but did get a 5th at Indy in 75 with McCluskey. Mike Hiss tried to run it in 76 but missed, and I think that was about it till Hamilton brought it back in 81.

Additionally, Riley's original design incorporated what may have been the first stab at the "boundary layer" ground effect principle...the car in its original config had a tail on it rather similar to the early 80s Eagles, and may have been based on the same idea of using the vacuum behind the car to draw air from beneath it. Or at least that's what it looked like what was intended. I guess you'd have to ask Bob Riley...

[brickyard]

Thanks TTE.

Are we talking about this, and this cars?

[Jamski]

Thanks TTE.

Are we talking about this, and this cars?

That would be the car, yes sir.

[volindyfan]

It looks more like the "Atlanta" car driven by Lloyd Ruby (can't remember the year). The car had "Eagle" and "McClaren" features. It is NOT the Riley car driven by Roger McCluskey (Silver Floss car).

[Jamski]

It looks more like the "Atlanta" car driven by Lloyd Ruby (can't remember the year). The car had "Eagle" and "McClaren" features. It is NOT the Riley car driven by Roger McCluskey (Silver Floss car).

Look again, especially the radiator shrouds and the front suspension. It is the Riley. Even has the same number on it as when Hamilton last drove it.

[Allen Brown]

All Hamilton's cars wore #63 so that doesn't tell us much.

I really didn't think it was the Riley but I hadn't seen that picture of it in 1975 spec. It does look much more like the 75-spec car than like the 74-spec one.

Could be.

Allen

[EdJVuky]

yup, it's a Riley.

[volindyfan]

All Hamilton's cars wore #63 so that doesn't tell us much.

I really didn't think it was the Riley but I hadn't seen that picture of it in 1975 spec. It does look much more like the 75-spec car than like the 74-spec one.

Could be.

Allen

IMO, it doesn't look a thing like either one of those McCluskey Rileys, other
than some radiator similarity.

[Jamski]

Page 92, 1981 Indianapolis 500 Yearbook. Bottom right hand column. I'd scan and post it but I respect Carl's work and his copyright. It's the same car, trust me. Even the paint scheme is the same.

Ken appeared as a driver twice only, I think, 81 and 82. In 81 he drove the Riley with a Chevy, in 82, an even more interesting car, the "Crop Duster".

volindyfan, if you live/work around Nashville, you and me and JohnMc and especially Calhoun ought to meet for lunch sometime!

[Calhoun]

I'm there!

-Calhoun