Basement Resto: Bill Akin Restored This Incredible 1960s Indy Car At HIs House – Hear It Run And Learn The History!


Basement Resto: Bill Akin Restored This Incredible 1960s Indy Car At HIs House – Hear It Run And Learn The History!

Bill Akin is one of the world’s foremost authorities on historic Indy cars, at least in our world. He has rebuilt, restored, and breathed new life into an amazing number of these old war horses over the years and he does so with the same skill and craftsmanship as the men who originally built them in the first place. How good is he? Well, the car you are about to see a video on, which he restored in the basement of his home won the vintage race car class at the Pebble Beach Concours shortly before it appeared at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Every year Akin brings one of the cars that he’s restored and every year it is parked under the shade of a big tree in a perfect position to oogle and check out. Oh…did we mention that he fires the thing up frequently as well? If you have never heard the sounds of a 400hp Meyer/Drake Offy at idle and at differing RPM ranges, you need to come to the reunion this year just to see this car!

Finally, it is cool to hear Akin talk about the fact that he was able to make about 75 miles worth of laps around Indianapolis Motor Speedway in this car at multiple events. This particular car was raced several times and drivers like Parnelli Jones, AJ Foyt, and a host of other notable names had time in the seat. This car was restored to the paint scheme and configuration it was run in 1962 which we think is neat because the orange and blue livery looks spectacular.

Bill Akin is likely one of the most humble and talented men to ever lay his hands on these cars. He’s a great story teller, a great historian, and an amazing wrench. Listen to him tell the tale of this spectacular car and listen to it run at the link below –

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND THE VIDEO OF THIS CAR RUNNING!

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2 thoughts on “Basement Resto: Bill Akin Restored This Incredible 1960s Indy Car At HIs House – Hear It Run And Learn The History!

  1. Doug McHenry

    The sad irony of this car is that Tony Bettanhausen was to drive this car in the ’61 Indy 500. In practice he’s flirting with 150 mph laps and was expected to get go pole and mauve the race . He decided to help his old pal Paul Russo diagnose a problem in Russo’s car and while driving it down the front straight a steering nut and bolt came apart sending the car over the wall and killing Bettenhausen.. Lloyd Ruby got the nod to drive the then new Autolite Special. I once saw a picture of the car with Tony ‘ s son Gary liking at the restored car. You could almost read his mind, just wondering “what if” a beautiful car and superb restoration.

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