The picture is the 1964 Andy Granatelli Studebaker / STP Special #9 powered by the Novi V8 and Ferguson-made 4-wheel drive chassis driven by Bobby Unser. It was the first 4-wheel drive race car at the Indianapolis 500 in the modern era. Some records say otherwise but Unser qualified #22 and finished #32 completing only one lap before being taken out by the fiery MacDonald crash coming out of turn 4 that killed both Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs.
In 1965 Unser did better starting #19 and finishing #8 after an oil fitting took him out on lap #69. Ferguson had made a second chassis for the 1965 race.
The #9 STP Special was the last Novi powered car and is currently owned and on display at the Motorsports all of Fame Museum in Daytona, Florida.
If you noticed I mentioned the car had a Ferguson made chassis. Yes- Harry Ferguson!!
I had the opportunity to hear Donald Davidson, Indy 500 historian, speak recently at our local Rotary Club. Someone asked about the 1964 Novi powered car driven by Bobby Unser and Mr. Davidson goes into the story about the Ferguson chassis and the first 4-wheel drive race car at Indy!! After that, I took the opportunity to visit with him one-on-one and gathered more information.
One of the individuals Mr. Davidson mentioned in the development of the 4-wheel drive system was Major Tony Rolt. Rolt was on the development team put together by racing enthusiast Harry Ferguson to prove 4 wheel drive cars were safe and useful. The best way to prove that fact was on the track.
The team ultimately developed what was later to become the world’s only Formula 1 winning four wheel drive car – Project 99 or P99.
Once Granatelli, saw the success of the P99, he brought Rolt to Indy to develop what would be known as the Ferguson chassis.
Major Rolt was a very special person. I encourage you to (in fact - you must!!) Google “Major Tony Rolt” or the ”Colditz *****,” a WWII glider. A phenomenal individual !!
Another trivia note is the fact Major Tony Rolt grew up less than 35 miles from our own John Farnworth. I am sure between the Ferguson race cars and Major Rolt, John could write another book just on that combined connection.