No. 99 Quin Epperly Indy Car
The Demler Special #99 is a remarkable car that ran repeatedly at Indy, with good results. The current owners, Mark and Linda Mountanos, brought the project in for restoration, and the car was reunited with its original builder during the process.
"Quin is a special, special guy. He first built this car in 1958, and now we're restoring it to take to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June -- they're commemorating Indy cars this year. Quin has been bangin' on the body for two months now, and he just turned 85. He was way ahead of his time. He was the leading proponent of the laydown Offy installation, which won Indy in '57 and '58, using its better high-speed aerodynamics and oval-track weight distribution. The 99 car finished second at Indy in 1958, fifth in '59, third in '60 and was last driven by Jim Hurtubise in'61, who qualified on the front row and led the race for a while. I'm rebuilding the engine now, and then we've got to assemble and detail it. Between this and the other stuff in here, I don't think I'll be sleeping much between now and Watkins Glen in July."*
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| Phil Reilly, Quin Epperly, & Mark Mountanos at California Speedway. |
HISTORY OF DEMLER SPECIAL #99
Originally owned by Norman C. Demler, North Tonawanda, New York
1958 - Built by Quin Epperly in California. Took four months to build chassis at a cost of $13,000 plus $9,000 to Meyer-Drake Engineering for the Offenhauser 255 cu. in. engine (engine #188). First driver was George Amick in 1958 who lost by 17 seconds and came in second the first year the car was built. George Amick was named Rookie of the Year at the Indy 500 race that year. He was killed the next year, 1959, at Daytona. His speed was 133.517 mph - elapsed time 3:44:41.45. In 1958, #99 finished in second place after starting in 25th place. Qualifying speed was 142.710 mph and race speed of 133.517 mph.
1959 - Paul Goldsmith drove the Demler Special #99 in 1959 and came in fifth after starting in 16th place. Qualifying speed of 142.670 mph and race speed of 134.573 mph. Elapsed time of 3:42:55.60.
1960 - Paul Goldsmith drove the Demler Special #99 again in 1960 and came in third after starting in 26th place. Qualifying speed was 142.783 mph and race speed of 136.792 mph. Elapsed time of 3:39:18.58.
1961 - Jim Hurtubise drove the Demler Special #99 in 1961. Qualified the car third fastest in qualifications at a speed of 146.306 mph but blew a piston on lap 102 and therefore finished in 22nd place.
1962 - Did not run at Indy May 30th because on May 11th at the time trials Jim Hurtubise crashed into the wall at high speed on a practice lap and #99 was damaged severely. Hurtubise was shaken up and cut on the left leg, but otherwise alright. Car was worked on and ready to go again on May 19th. The track temperature was 141° F and Pat Vidan scrambled an egg on the track in front of the main grandstand. The heat made the asphalt slippery and Jim Hurtubise again hit the wall and smashed up the #99 in a late afternoon attempt to make the line-up. He was not hurt but the car was definitely out of the race.
1966 - General Electric Turbine added and the #99 was one of the first turbine powered cars to run at Indy. Entered by Norman C. Demler was the #99 Jack Adams Aircraft Special to qualify for the 500. The car was extremely fast but declared unsafe because of brakes. Driven by Al Miller and Bill Cheesboug.
1998 - Restored by Quin Epperly, at 85 years old, original car builder, and Phil Reilly & Company in California, U.S.A.
CAMPAIGNED BY MARK, LINDA, AND MARIAH MOUNTANOS
UKIAH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.
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