Pull up a stool. Let the arguments begin! Time for one of the great bench racing debates: naming the greatest Indy cars of all time. Here's our Top 10 Your mileage may vary.
The 10 Greatest Cars in Indy 500 History | Mac's Motor City Garage.com
The 10 greatest cars in Indy 500 history
Started by
Magoo
, May 10 2014 13:06
15 replies to this topic
#3
ensign14
-
- 61,944 posts
- Joined: December 01
Member
Posted 10 May 2014 - 14:30
Didn't realize Wheldon's second Indy winner was ex-Marty Roth. I suppose at least it meant it was in no danger of being over-driven.
#5
Manfred Cubenoggin
-
- 976 posts
- Joined: October 02
Member
Posted 11 May 2014 - 10:26
The 1972 Eagle? It eclipsed previous speed records by light-years.
#6
Emery0323
-
- 456 posts
- Joined: January 11
Member
Posted 11 May 2014 - 10:42
The 1972 Eagle? It eclipsed previous speed records by light-years.
It looks as if this list only includes Indy 500 winners. Was Unser's 1975 winner the same car he drove in 1972? There is also the 1973 Eagle that won for the Patrick Team.
#7
jj2728
-
- 2,966 posts
- Joined: January 04
Member
Posted 11 May 2014 - 10:57
What about the 1980 Chaparral 2K?
#8
Magoo
-
- 3,718 posts
- Joined: October 10
Member
Posted 11 May 2014 - 12:42
No Lola T500?
That would make 11 cars by my count.
#9
Magoo
-
- 3,718 posts
- Joined: October 10
Member
Posted 12 May 2014 - 12:22
What about the 1980 Chaparral 2K?
Great choice for sure but did not make the final 10. Just for asking, what car would you remove to make room for it?
#10
rl1856
-
- 361 posts
- Joined: November 03
Member
Posted 12 May 2014 - 20:33
I would also include the Chaparral 2k.
I would substitute the 1963 Lotus for the 65 race winner. The 63 car was the design that caused everyone else to convert to rear engined chassis.
Frank Lockhart and his Miller of course. But what about the Duesenbergs and other Millers ?
I like the choice of the Penske Ilmor but the innovator was Buick- for several years Buick produced turbo pushrod V-6 engines that were the fastest cars on the track. They were unreliable, but caused everyone to think about the possibilities of a pushrod engine.
The 72 Eagle is a good choice. But what about the 71 McLaren M16 ? It obliterated every track record and introduced modern aerodynamics to Indy.
1976-1977 Parnelli and Penske use of the Cosworth DFX. Within a few years all Indy runners would be powered by this engine.
Best,
Ross
#11
racinggeek
-
- 733 posts
- Joined: June 11
Member
Posted 12 May 2014 - 21:42
Just for asking, what car would you remove to make room for it?
If I may jump in, I'd easily and without hesitation put the 2K in ahead of the Penske March 86C, and either the McLaren M16 or '72 Eagle really should be ahead of the Dan Wheldon Dallara, bittersweet memories notwithstanding.
#12
Magoo
-
- 3,718 posts
- Joined: October 10
Member
Posted 13 May 2014 - 18:12
If I may jump in, I'd easily and without hesitation put the 2K in ahead of the Penske March 86C, and either the McLaren M16 or '72 Eagle really should be ahead of the Dan Wheldon Dallara, bittersweet memories notwithstanding.
One of my favorite things about these list pieces: all the fascinating and perfectly valid perspectives.
#13
racinggeek
-
- 733 posts
- Joined: June 11
Member
Posted 13 May 2014 - 21:15
One of my favorite things about these list pieces: all the fascinating and perfectly valid perspectives.
Well, one thing I've heard in the news business is that "list stories" exist almost solely to create reader feedback, aka arguments, so ... 
#14
Magoo
-
- 3,718 posts
- Joined: October 10
Member
Posted 14 May 2014 - 10:55
Well, one thing I've heard in the news business is that "list stories" exist almost solely to create reader feedback, aka arguments, so ...
Very true. In effect, you are trolling your own audience
EDIT: I would only add that it's not entirely about reader feedback -- listicles are a big traffic booster in general. A story about "The World's Greatest Pizza Parlors" will suddenly generate far more hits if you put a number in the title. Strange but true. For one thing, it suggests a quick and easy read.
Edited by Magoo, 14 May 2014 - 11:30.
#15
Magoo
-
- 3,718 posts
- Joined: October 10
Member
Posted 17 May 2014 - 12:51
If I may jump in, I'd easily and without hesitation put the 2K in ahead of the Penske March 86C, and either the McLaren M16 or '72 Eagle really should be ahead of the Dan Wheldon Dallara, bittersweet memories notwithstanding.
Those are perfectly valid choices, I think. There is no final a answer - 10 is a small and arbitrary number for over a century of racing history.
#16
Magoo
-
- 3,718 posts
- Joined: October 10
Member
Posted 20 May 2014 - 07:53
Calhoun??
With only 10 slots, it was displaced on the list by the Keck Kurtis (first Offy roadster, two Indy 500 wins) but Calhoun did easily make our "10 Greatest Indy Roadsters" roster. There were four Watsons on the list.
http://www.macsmotor...ers-in-history/
