The 1961 Ewing Dean Van Lines Special was a highly competitive Indianapolis 500 race car, built during the golden era of front-engine Indy roadsters. It was one of the last successful front-engine designs before the rear-engine revolution took over at the Indy 500.
Overview
- Car Name: 1961 Ewing Dean Van Lines Special
- Team: Dean Van Lines Racing
- Builder: A.J. Watson / Ewing (Watson-style Roadster)
- Chassis: Tube-frame, front-engine roadster
- Engine: Offenhauser 4.2L (252 cu in) Inline-4
- Year: 1961
- Series: USAC IndyCar / Indianapolis 500
Engine & Performance
- Engine Type: Offenhauser 4.2L (252 cu in) DOHC Inline-4
- Horsepower: Over 400 hp
- Fuel System: Methanol-powered with mechanical fuel injection
- Transmission: 2-speed Halibrand gearbox
- Top Speed: 180+ mph on Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval
Chassis & Suspension
- Chassis Type: Lightweight tubular space frame
- Body Material: Hand-formed aluminum panels
- Front Suspension: Twin I-beam solid axle with torsion bars
- Rear Suspension: Live axle with torsion bars
- Brakes: Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes
Tires & Wheels
- Wheels: 15-inch magnesium racing wheels
- Tires: Firestone racing tires
History & Significance
- Designed by A.J. Watson, one of the greatest Indy car builders of all time.
- Entered by Dean Van Lines Racing, a prominent IndyCar team during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Driven by notable racers like Jim Rathmann and Eddie Sachs during the USAC Championship season.
- One of the final front-engine roadsters before the rear-engine revolution at Indy in 1965.
Performance in the 1961 Indianapolis 500
- Competed in the 1961 Indianapolis 500, a historic race won by A.J. Foyt.
- Although not victorious, it remained competitive against newer rear-engine threats.
- Marked the waning dominance of Watson roadsters before rear-engine cars from Europe, such as the Cooper Climax and Lotus 38, took over in the mid-1960s.
Legacy & Collectibility
- Considered one of the last great front-engine roadsters in Indianapolis 500 history.
- Highly sought-after by collectors, especially in vintage IndyCar racing circles.
Conclusion
The 1961 Ewing Dean Van Lines Special is a symbol of the final era of front-engine Indy roadsters, representing the peak of handcrafted American race car engineering before the rise of rear-engine designs. With its powerful Offenhauser engine, sleek Watson-style chassis, and competitive Indianapolis 500 history, it remains an iconic piece of open-wheel racing heritage.
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