1948 Blue Crown Special (short-wheelbase Lesovsky)
- Engine
- Dual overhead cam inline-four Offenhauser, two side-draft carburetors, ~300 hp, paired with three-speed Meyer-Drake gearbox
The Baby Blue Crown Special is a purpose-built Indianapolis roadster constructed in 1948 by Luigi Lesovsky for Lou Moore's celebrated Blue Crown Spark Plug team. Powered by an Offenhauser four-cylinder engine, the car was designed on shorter rear-wheel-drive dimensions to compete at AAA short-track events. George Connor drove it to third place at the 1949 Indianapolis 500, and the car raced at Indianapolis through 1954 before being retired following a 1955 accident at Sacramento. Subsequently preserved and later comprehensively restored by Jim Mann's shop in Indiana, it survives with extensive original components and a rich documentation archive.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$302,500
- —Auction saleSold US$201,600
- 1948 → 1949-05-11Factory deliveryLou Moore / Blue Crown Spark Plug teamfull documentation
Moore commissioned Lesovsky to build the car for his Blue Crown Spark Plug operation. On 11 May 1949 he sold a half-interest to crew chief Charlie Marant, with an original Bill of Sale and Affidavit of Ownership surviving in the car's file.
- 1949-05-11 →Private saleCharlie Marantfull documentation
Moore's crew chief acquired a half-share for $8,750. Marant later entered the car independently at Indianapolis in 1952 and 1953 after Moore ceased campaigning it.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBob Christiepartial documentation
Described as the second owner; attempted to qualify the car at Indianapolis in 1954 but a magneto failure ended the effort. Christie later inspected and authenticated surviving original components during the restoration.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMalcolm Millerpartial documentation
Based in Vancouver, Washington; raced the car on Pacific Northwestern circuits until a 1955 accident at Sacramento put it out of competition.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDonald 'Duck' Collinspartial documentation
Portland, Oregon resident who received the car from Miller after the Sacramento accident; preserved the surviving original parts, many bearing chassis number 3.
- Date unknownInheritanceDel McClurepartial documentation
Received the car's remains following Collins's death and subsequently passed them on to the consignor.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent consignorfull documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive restoration by Jim Mann's Elkhart shop and assembled an extensive archive of period photographs, documents, and related memorabilia accompanying the car.
Competition
- 1948AAA Championship1948 Indianapolis 500Failed to qualify
Both drivers assigned to the car, Mack Hellings and Mike Salay, were unable to achieve qualifying speed.
- 1949AAA Championship1949 Indianapolis 500Driver: George Connor3rd overall
Connor qualified in 6th position and delivered a strong podium finish for the Blue Crown team.
- 1949AAA Championship1949 Milwaukee AAA raceDriver: Bill Holland
One of two AAA events Holland drove the car in following the 1949 Indianapolis 500.
- 1949AAA Championship1949 Trenton AAA raceDriver: Bill Holland
Second of two AAA championship events Holland contested with the car that season.
- 1950AAA Championship1950 Indianapolis 500Driver: George Connor8th overall
Connor drove again for the Moore operation in this second consecutive Indy start.
- 1951AAA Championship1951 Indianapolis 500Driver: George Connor30th overall
Connor's third and final Indy appearance in the car for the Moore team.
- 1952AAA Championship1952 Indianapolis 500Driver: Bill TaylorFailed to qualify
Marant entered the car independently, without Moore's involvement, but Taylor could not make the field.
- 1953AAA Championship1953 Indianapolis 500Driver: Bill TaylorFailed to qualify
Second consecutive independent entry by Marant; Taylor again unable to qualify.
- 1954AAA Championship1954 Indianapolis 500Driver: Bob ChristieFailed to qualify — magneto failure
Christie was reportedly on pace to make the field until a magneto fault ended the qualifying attempt.
- 1955Sacramento raceDriver: Len SuttonDNF — accident
A crash at Sacramento effectively ended the car's competitive life; it was subsequently traded to Donald Collins.
- —Pacific Northwestern track racesDriver: Bob GreggMultiple wins
Under Malcolm Miller's ownership the car was raced on several Pacific Northwest circuits, with Gregg claiming victories.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationJim Mann
Full restoration carried out by Jim Mann's shop in Elkhart, Indiana; Offenhauser engine parts were sourced and assembled by Steve Truschan using as many original components as possible, with missing or damaged items recreated by Mann. Period-correct 18-inch Rudge wire wheels were fitted with rare vintage Firestone Indianapolis racing tyres.
Car has not been run since restoration was completed; the consignor advises careful recommissioning before any track use.
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