The Roadster Era & the "Laydowns"
One of the most popular and romantic eras at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway® is the "roadster Era" from
1953 through 1964 when the Brickyard® was ruled by drivers from the American melting pot in front-engine
roadsters. Although virtually all roadsters used Four-cylinder "Offy" power, a great deal of ingenuity went
into design.
The most successful radical roadster design was the Belond special, which won the Indianapolis 500®
in 1957. The Belond Special was a "laydown" roadster with its engine 18° from horizontal,
providing an impossibly low hood profile.
Following Carousel 1 models of the roadsters that won the Indianapolis 500® in 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956,
1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964, we offered you our model of the 1957 Belond Special driven by
Sam Hanks to victory in the 1957 Indianapolis 500®, fifty years ago, and this year we are pleased to offer
you the 1960 #5 - A.J. Foyt / Bowes Seal Fast.
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