Fantasy Junction

Description

1953 Lehman Pikes Peak Special
White and Red with Black

Originally built in the 1930s as a big car, (Sprint car), the car has original Miller front suspension pieces and hubs may have been a Miller “Kit” car.

In the early 1950s, the car was purchased by Dick Lehman and converted to run at Pikes Peak. Dick manufactured race car components including front drive assemblies for the GMC engines. A quick change based on the Lincoln rear end components which were stronger than the more commonly used Ford parts and steering gears. Later, Dick designed and manufactured the “Lehman” front gear drive for the small block Chevy. The Lehman gear drive took the place of the timing chain which was not as strong or reliable.

Dick installed a 270 c.i. Wayne/GMC engine with early Hilborn Injection, Vertex Magneto and a very early cast iron Wayne 12 port cross flow head. A CAD-LaSalle transmission and Lehman Quick change rear axle were also installed.
The car was driven at Pikes Peak in 1955 and 1956 by “Bullet Joe” Garson. In 1957 it was piloted by Bill McConnell and in 1958 it was driven by Bud Sterrett. Bill McConnell set the record for qualifying in 1957. This record stood until 1961 when it was broken by Bobby Unser.

Around 1960, the car was sold to a collector in Colorado and was in his small private museum for the next forty years. He repainted the car red and white but did nothing else to it. It has not run since it was last raced at Pikes Peak. The engine may be the most complete original Wayne/GMC engine in existence.

With the exception of the un-original paint, the car is in nice, original preserved condition. The car is very complete with the exception of the push rods were removed from the engine (which was common practice to reduce the tension on the valve springs) and for some reason, the flex hoses from the fuel metering block to the injector nozzle are missing. The aluminum bodywork is in good condition and the chassis components are all clean, sound and rust free. The Plexiglas windscreen is in poor condition.

The car was always kept in dry storage. All the parts are original to the car with the exception of the push-rods and injector hoses. (This would have to be replaced anyways).

PIKES PEAK HISTORY

YEAR DRIVER QUALIFIED FINISH

1955 JOE GARSON 7:12.9 NO TIME

1956 JOE GARSON 7:07.1 (18th) NO TIME

1957 BILL McCONNELL 5:31.7 (1st) 15:31 (13th)

THIS QUALIFYING RECORD STOOD UNTIL
IT WAS BROKEN BY BOBBY UNSER IN 1961

1958 BUD STERRETT 6:29.2 (11th) NO TIME

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608