The Franco-American Indy 500 Winner For 1919.... [PIC]

In the 19-teens, Peugeot was racing powerhouse. Peugeot had already won at Indy in 1913 and 1916. The event was cancelled for '17 and '18 due to WWl. For 1919, Indy 500 sponsored this Peugeot, owned by the Indy 500 founders, Carl Fisher and James Allison who continued to upgrade the car. Powered by a very sophisticated DOHC 4.8 liter straight 8 that developed a whopping 140 HP @ 3000 rpm. The car is known as the Peugeot L45 "Howdy Peugeot" for its driver, Howard Samuel "Howdy" Wilcox. The race itself had a huge field with half the entrants being rookies and the result was 3 people killed - two drivers and a mechanic. The event was also to celebrate the Armistice and was moved to March 31 so as not to coincide with Memorial Day and for that year only was called the "Liberty Sweepstakes".

The model is by Replicarz and disappointingly doesn't have an opening bonnet but has a nicely detailed cockpit and 3 piece spidery wire wheels shod in undyed rubber tires. The paint and graphics are well done as well as the tiny "Peugeot" radiator badge which is, at least for me, only visible by magnification.