Can someone tell me what Lorenzo Bandini was due to drive in the 1967 Indianapolis 500?
A Lotus has been suggested...
Lorenzo Bandini at Indy
Started by
Michael Clark
, Jun 04 2008 02:01
12 replies to this topic
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#2
Gerr
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Posted 04 June 2008 - 02:06
Walter Weir's Gerhardt-Ford, race number 32.
#3
Buford
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Posted 04 June 2008 - 02:46
I told the story here
http://forums.autosp...ht=bandini weir
I remember when my dad's friend Wally Weir, a crusty as anybody total oval track racer bought a new car in 1966 just before Indy, it was to be his first serious effort with a decent budget. It was also his first rear engine car and he did not know how it worked. He decided he needed a road racer. He didn't have a clue though who was good but he knew F1 was supposed to be the top level and that is where Clark and Gurney and Brabham came from. Guys named Stewart and Hill had rides that year and were supposed to be good he knew. So he got a magazine and started looking for names that had not run Indy or were on the entry form but seemed to be front runners. He found a guy named Bandini seemed to be the best not already lined up.
So he called Ferrari or somebody and got Bandini's number and offered him the ride at Indy. Bandini accepted immediately and it was announced to the press. Unfortunately Bandini did not get past Monaco and Weir ended up with Al Miller, who was also very good and without looking it up, I think they got 10th or something like that.
http://forums.autosp...ht=bandini weir
I remember when my dad's friend Wally Weir, a crusty as anybody total oval track racer bought a new car in 1966 just before Indy, it was to be his first serious effort with a decent budget. It was also his first rear engine car and he did not know how it worked. He decided he needed a road racer. He didn't have a clue though who was good but he knew F1 was supposed to be the top level and that is where Clark and Gurney and Brabham came from. Guys named Stewart and Hill had rides that year and were supposed to be good he knew. So he got a magazine and started looking for names that had not run Indy or were on the entry form but seemed to be front runners. He found a guy named Bandini seemed to be the best not already lined up.
So he called Ferrari or somebody and got Bandini's number and offered him the ride at Indy. Bandini accepted immediately and it was announced to the press. Unfortunately Bandini did not get past Monaco and Weir ended up with Al Miller, who was also very good and without looking it up, I think they got 10th or something like that.
#4
jimclark
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Posted 04 June 2008 - 03:50
"I remember when my dad's friend Wally Weir, a crusty as anybody total oval track racer bought a new car in 1966 just before Indy, it was to be his first serious effort with a decent budget."
1967, what's a year in forty?
"Unfortunately Bandini did not get past Monaco and Weir ended up with Al Miller, who was also very good and without looking it up, I think they got 10th or something like that."
Again, 'twas long ago... http://www.indy500.c...score/year/1967
1967, what's a year in forty?
"Unfortunately Bandini did not get past Monaco and Weir ended up with Al Miller, who was also very good and without looking it up, I think they got 10th or something like that."
Again, 'twas long ago... http://www.indy500.c...score/year/1967
#5
Buford
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Posted 04 June 2008 - 04:01
Originally posted by jimclark
"I remember when my dad's friend Wally Weir, a crusty as anybody total oval track racer bought a new car in 1966 just before Indy, it was to be his first serious effort with a decent budget."
1967, what's a year in forty?
"Unfortunately Bandini did not get past Monaco and Weir ended up with Al Miller, who was also very good and without looking it up, I think they got 10th or something like that."
Again, 'twas long ago... http://www.indy500.c...score/year/1967
Well I wrote that from recollection of talking to the car owner and not researching at the time I wrote it but I was wrong about finishing 10th obviously. I didn't go back to make corrections now when I copied it. The essence of the story of how he came about getting Bandini to agree to drive is what he told my dad and I at his garage one day in gasoline Alley. Not sure why I thought the car finished 10th, maybe he was running in that position at some point in the race.
#6
Michael Clark
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Posted 04 June 2008 - 04:31
Thank you gentlemen - I was asked the question this morning by Lorenzo's co-driver in the Daytona 24 race of that year and we both concluded TNF would give us an answer before close of business.
Brilliant.
Brilliant.
#7
lil'chris
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Posted 04 June 2008 - 21:36
Originally posted by Michael Clark
Thank you gentlemen - I was asked the question this morning by Lorenzo's co-driver in the Daytona 24 race of that year and we both concluded TNF would give us an answer before close of business.
Brilliant.
Nice to know Mr Amon holds TNF in such esteem
Don't suppose you managed to persuade him to visit us at some time ? 
#8
Michael Clark
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Posted 05 June 2008 - 02:44
Oh he lurks...
As does Howden Ganley.
As does Howden Ganley.
#9
Barry Boor
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Posted 05 June 2008 - 07:53
Totally O.T. but, if Mr. Ganley really does look at TNF, I'd love him to post his opinions of a certain F.1 car he came to look at around Christmas time 1971.
#10
jj2728
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Posted 23 May 2010 - 02:05
Came across this thread and thought I'd add a couple of photos of the cars in mention....
And this is one for Mr. Amon should he still be lurking here....
And this is one for Mr. Amon should he still be lurking here....
#11
URY914
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Posted 23 May 2010 - 03:10
Look how wide that cockpit is.
#12
Fiorentina 1
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Posted 23 May 2010 - 06:14
I didn't know that. I learn something new every day on this site. That would have been cool; Bandini at Indy!
#13
Graham Clayton
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Posted 25 January 2013 - 08:47
Here is an interesting article from the "Schenectady Gazette", dated May 12, 1967:
"Cheesbourg Takes Over Bandini Car
Big Bill Cheesbourg, veteran Tucsonm Ariz, race driver, squeezed himself into the Gerhardt-Ford which had been assigned to Italian ace Lorenzo Bandini for the 51st-500 mile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Car owner Walter Weir of Webster Groves, Mo announced the assignment 24 hours after Bandini died of injuries suffered Sunday in the Monaco Grand Prix."
So when was the decision made to have Al Miller qualify the car instead of Cheesbourg?
"Cheesbourg Takes Over Bandini Car
Big Bill Cheesbourg, veteran Tucsonm Ariz, race driver, squeezed himself into the Gerhardt-Ford which had been assigned to Italian ace Lorenzo Bandini for the 51st-500 mile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Car owner Walter Weir of Webster Groves, Mo announced the assignment 24 hours after Bandini died of injuries suffered Sunday in the Monaco Grand Prix."
So when was the decision made to have Al Miller qualify the car instead of Cheesbourg?
