1948 Snowberger-Offenhauser 'Auto Shippers' Special Indy Car

This 1948 “Auto Shippers” Special was built by Lou Rassey and mechanic Ed Zalucki, utilizing a Russ Snowberger chassis and initially a V-16, built up from components sourced from Harry Miller. When that powerplant failed, it was replaced with a more reliable Offenhauser four. During the Special’s debut outing at Indy, rain curtailed the car’s qualifying. Undeterred, Rassey returned to Indy in 1949 with George Lynch piloting the Special. Lynch put the car 8th on the grid, only to crash on the 2nd lap of the race. For 1950, Rassey brought two cars to Indy, driven by Lynch and Indy newcomer Bill Schindler. Hailing from Freeport, New York, Schindler had been immensely successful in a variety of midget race cars throughout the 1930s and 1940s. No matter the surface or race condition, this talented and resourceful driver found ways to win and continued competing even after losing his left leg in a racing incident at Mineola, New York in 1936. Having exhausted ways to win with midgets, the “Freeport Flash” headed to Indy and managed to convince Lou Rassey that he could drive one of his Eugene Casaroll-sponsored “Auto Shippers” Specials. Schindler was able to qualify a remarkably strong fifth fastest, with a speed of 132.690 mph, which placed him 22nd on the grid for Sunday’s race. During the race, Schindler was forced to play catch up after an early spin. By the 111th lap, he had worked his way up and was close to breaking the top 10 when a universal joint failed and his race ended. Through 1950 and 1951, Schindler continued to race for the team, notably battling Tommy Hinnershitz in 1951 and winning 10 of 16 races contested by the pair. Rassey then sold the Special to Charlie Helin, and it reappeared at Indy in the hands of Peter Hahn in 1952 and Jud Larson’s in 1953 before making a graceful exit from competition use. Its retirement proved to be almost more illustrious, as the car was acquired by industrial designer Brooks Stevens for his collection. The Special was displayed at Stevens' museum in Milwaukee alongside automotive icons that included a Talbot-Lago Teardrop and Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 MM. When the collection began to be dispersed, famed local collector David Uihlein purchased it and had it restored to its 1949 Indy appearance, replete with an Offenhauser 270 inch four, twin Riley carburetors, and the striking orange Auto Shippers scheme. From Uihlein, the Special passed to a private collection and then to the Price Museum of Speed, a prominent stable of single-seater cars, where it has resided for the last decade. A classic example of Indianapolis ingenuity, this Lou Rassey-Bill Schindler car will always be a talking point in any major collection. Please note that this vehicle has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to use. Please also note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale. car

Estimation:€222,687.5

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