1963 WATSON INDIANAPOLIS RECREATION ROADSTER SPECIAL
CHASSIS No: 653-MB1
Parnelli Jones 1963 Indy 500-winning ‘Agajanian Willard Battery Special’
A reproduction of the Parnelli Jones 1963 Indy 500-winning Watson "Agajanian Willard Battery Special" Indy Roadster, nicknamed "Calhoun". The original car was built by A.J Watson for team owner J.C. Agajanian in 1960 with a 252ci Meyer-Drake Offenhauser. The car finished 7th at the 1960 Indy 500 driven by Lloyd Ruby. From 1961 to 1964 the car was raced by Parnelli Jones, who led the Indy 500 at some stage in each of these years and ultimately won the 1963 Indy 500 after taking pole position, led for 167 of 200 laps and set a record average speed of 143.137mph. The car was also the first to officially lap the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in excess of 150mph in 1962).
This bespoke built special was expertly constructed from the ground up to an enthusiast's exacting requirements for use in historic sprints and hill climbs. This Special utilises a Chevrolet 350ci (5.7-litre) with Dart alloy heads, T5 gearbox, Schaefer aluminium flywheel, 5.5-inch triple plate clutch, and Winters QC rear end with Wedgelock centre. Built on a custom chrome moly chassis, with Grade 3 heavy duty fibre glass nose and tail, with all other panel’s aluminium. Uses Dragway wheels and finished in the 1963 Agajanian Willard Battery #98 Indy 500 winning livery.
Featured here on the homepage of the Noosa Hill Climb website;
https://www.noosacarclub.com.au/index.php/events/noosa-hill-climb-summer
A striking, fast and rewarding special to drive in track days, Sprints and Hill Climb events.
The vehicle is being sold unregistered.
