Frank Lockhart’s Slick Speedster Reborn
Land Speed Racer-Recreation at the LA Roadster Show
You’ll never know what you might see! Wandering the huge-anic swap meet at the LA Roadster Show, I found this:
Feast your eyes on the not-quite-finished replica of Frank Lockhart’s Stutz Blackhawk Special. Handmade and very accurate from what Ned told me to the original. It’ll even run a special, rare-like-you-wouldn’t-believe Miller 4 cylinder engines. (that’s one reason it’s not done yet)
Why? I don’t know… cause the owner can I guess! I wanted more info, but the guys were already loading the car into the trailer (you gotta see it in the pics below) when I showed up and with the sun beating down, it was all business for them. If you know more about the car, please get in touch.
To learn more about the original car and the crash that took the life of Frank Lockhart, here’s a few links. You should know, at the time, Frank was the youngest Indy 500 winner and the record holder for most laps led from the start (81 Laps). Not to mention, the guy was race car engineering super-genius.
Here’s his Wikopedia page: Frank Lockhart at Wiki
Then, here’s a great 2-part feature on Frank Lockhart I found researching myself:
Frank Lockhart – Boy Genius (Part I)
Frank Lockhart – Boy Genius (Part II)
Finally, here’s a video of the crash. It’s pretty nasty at the end… just so you know. And… sorry about the music.
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Incredible vintage video of the Stutz Blackhawk’s run and crash. Great stuff.
Thanks Bill! Isn’t it nuts how the car goes ripping out of the airplane’s view?
I believe the engines were Miller double overhead cam 4 valve per cylinder centrifically supercharged straight eights. Frank had become famous for his ability to squeeze a few more horsepower out of these Duesenberg beaters than anyone else.
Thanks John! If you now more about Frank, I’d like to hear it… maybe for another story?
Many years ago, someone I knew tried to put together a deal to build an exact replica of the Stutz. The original blueprints are in California and the original engine (183cu.in. V-16 ?) is in the Indy Museum. The engine was available, providing the finished car was donated to the museum. But, sadly, the original drawings could not be obtained, so, the project was stalled.
This replica appears to be very, very accurate, except for the 4-cylinder Miller engine.
I think, the V-16 was two Miller 91 cu.in. straight eights on a common crankcase, but not sure.
Otherwise, great job. Glad to see someone has finally done this.
The Miller/Offenhauser historical society page:
http://www.milleroffy.com/
Hundreds of pictures of restored Millers and Offys, history and books including a new Lockhart biography.
Millers and the board tracks they raced on are an almost forgotten but significant part of American automotive history.
Writing full-length screen biography of Frank Lockhart.
Sounds great John, I’d love to hear more about it. Please contact me at moc.emsiedirymnull@nimda. Good luck with the project!