At the Brickyard Invitational: The Titanium Roadster

Perhaps no type of racecar speaks to the hearts of Indianapolis 500 fans old and young more than the classic Indy roadster of the 1950s and early ‘60s. One of the most unique and authentically preserved examples you can find anywhere is the 1961 roadster designed and built by Edgar Elder for original owner/driver Ray Crawford. Entered in this year’s Brickyard Invitational for the high-speed oval exhibitions, the machine is seen by car collectors as a prime contender for the event’s A.J. Watson Trophy awarded to the best example of a classic Indy roadster.

Recently acquired by Chicago collector Peter Thornton, the front engine, four-cylinder Offenhauser-powered car was previously owned by legendary motorsports journalist Brock Yates.

The racer is unique for two basic reasons. One, few roadsters that qualified for the Indianapolis 500 have survived the span of decades since without being modified for other purposes or simply damaged through accident or neglect. Fortunately this one passed through a series of owners who respected what they had. Secondly, the car was unique even in its racing days for its construction. That’s because many of its suspension components were made of lightweight titanium.

The titanium parts include front spindles, rear axle, birdcage and torsion arms. The strong but lighter metal allowed mechanics weight distribution options in setting up the car. The exquisite specimen of history is prepped for the Brickyard Invitational by Creech Motorsports of Avon, Indiana.

The car originally appeared at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the goal of qualifying for the “500” three times – 1961, ’62 and ’63. Painted differently for each occasion it is restored to its 1962 livery, which is the only time it made the field. Driven by Bob Veith as the number 96 Meguiar’s Mirror-Glaze Special it completed only 12 laps before a cam failed. Consequently Veith finished last in the field of 33.

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