Indy Cars of the 1960s (Ludvigsen Library Series) | 
 enlarge | Author: Karl Ludvigsen
Publisher: Iconografix, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $15.51
You Save: $9.44 (38%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 490311
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 128
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.4
ISBN: 1583880526
Dewey Decimal Number: 629
EAN: 9781583880524
ASIN: 1583880526
Publication Date: November 9, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New & never read. High quality at a low price.
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Product Description
Journey into Gasoline Alley during the tumultuous 1960s, one of the most spectacular and controversial decades in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Featured are fantastic photos of the last Novis, the wild racers of Mickey Thompson, Brabhams and the successful Halk copies, the astonishing STP turbine cars of 1967 and 1968, Dan Gurneys Eagles from 1966, Lotuses, the battle between Fords, and the turbo-Offys.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Not what I'd expected... August 23, 2007
This book was somewhat of a disappointment...it's mostly pictures, and I was expecting an in-depth analysis of the engineering that went into the cars that defined the most turbulent era in Indy 500 history. I've read a lot of Ludvigsen lately, especially in Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car; where his writing is top notch...and I remember his work at Sports Car Illustrated [now Car and Driver] and Motor Trend. It appears that he only wrote the introduction to this particular book...it really doesn't go into much detail, just a few short lines on each page, below a full-page photo.
Karl has a way of making complex mechanical concepts clear, colorful and easy to understand, and I was hoping he'd go into detail regarding some of the innovations that the early 1960s brought to auto racing, especially those involving the advent of rear engine cars and wider tires, and while there is documentation of those events, it's brief and concise, with very little that hasn't been covered elsewhere in more detail, as in Roger Huntington's book, Design and Development of the Indy Car, which is woefully long out-of-print.
I was hoping for information on the 1964 Mickey Thompson Sears-Allstate Specials with 3-wheel steering, but there is virtually nothing about these cars in the book. The 1962 cars are covered, and the 1963 predecessors to the 1964 cars are, too...but there is nothing on the car that caused so much controversy and tragedy at the Speedway in 1964.
There are some rare photos, including one of a 1965 front-engine Ford DOHC powered roadster that didn't turn many laps at the track, and several photos of the STP turbine cars that are interesting, but overall, the book is a little thin. Not much detail, and not as much Ludvigsen involvement as the title may suggest.
If you're a hard-core fan of Indy in the '60's, the book is of merit...if not, you might want to give it a pass.
Dan Bolton
 Indy's Glory Years July 15, 2007
Excellent photographic and direct text overview of the last great decade of innovation at indy. It's all here from the seeming demise of the Offy giving way to Ford to the 4-banger's turbocharged comeback. The final qualifying of a roadster, the valliant efforts of Granatelli with the NOVI and his futuristic vision with the eventually outlawed turbines are well covered. Included are Smokey Yunic, Mickey Thompson and numerous other unsuccessful but determined and creative contenders. Well done!
Indy car of the sixties January 23, 2007
Good info & pictures, but some in color would be great.
A must-have... August 19, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A fantastic collection of B&W photos from one of the most interesting periods in Indy history. The book is printed on a high-quality glossy stock that make the pictures appear wonderfully sharp. Great pics of Watson roadsters, early Eagles, Coyotes, Lotuses, McLarens, and all of the experimental cars from the tumultuous transition from front- to rear- (mid-) engine cars. Quite a few pictures of chassis and engines, including things like the turbine car and the Hallibrand Shrike. This particular volume in the series presents the pictures chronologically (other volumes in the Ludvigsen series can differ).
A Walk Through 500 History December 30, 2002
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Indy Cars of the 1960s presents some classic photos of a period of great change at the 500. What is unique about this book is that it includes some photos of the non successful but technically interesting cars of the period. The Smokey Yunick sidecar, the Parnelli Jones 69 4wd turbo Ford and the Granatelli Plymouth to name a few. There are also a variety of photos of the engines and chassis mechanicals of the period including the turbines. This book is heavily focussed on the rear engined entries that predominated the 60's. The high quality B&W photos have amazing clarity. While some people prefer more prose, the captions not only describe the content, but offer little snippets of interest surrounding the subject presented.
In summary, snapshots of the period that leave you feeling that you just had a walk through the paddock. Now, how about a book on Watson's?
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