An iconic piece of American open-wheel history, this 1950 Sprint Car affectionately known as the “McNamara Special” was originally commissioned by Lee Elkins of McNamara Trucking, an ambitious freight shipping magnate with a taste for speed. This Sprint Car was built by master mechanic Harry Turner in Kenosha, Wisconsin, whose craftsmanship would come to define the car’s early dominance.

From the outset, the McNamara Special was a front-runner. In 1952, this chassis carried Joey James to a National Sprint Car Championship. By 1954, Harry Turner, alongside Indy crew chief Charles Szkendy, reengineered the car into its current form. Over its competitive lifespan, it was piloted by some of the sport’s most daring talents, including “Iron Mike” Nazaruk, Andy Linden, and Ed Elisian. Notably, Elisian captured a USAC feature win at Dayton in this chassis, contributing to its 6th Place finish in the 1958 USAC Season Championship.

Campaigned at storied tracks such as Winchester, Salem, and Fort Wayne’s high banks, the McNamara Special became synonymous with raw speed, capable of exceeding 100 mph on the straights. During its career, it raced under several numbers: 3, 73, and 83. Sold to Ohio racer Homer Allen in 1958, the car ran its final competitive season in 1959 before being carefully stored. Rediscovered in 1985 in remarkably original condition, the McNamara Special has since been authentically restored to the configuration in which it last raced. * Please note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale.