It’s no secret Indy has a storied past. A past filled with excitement, suspense, drama and just a hint of estrogen. Indy has always felt the presence of the fairer sex due to the likes of Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James, Sarah Fischer and Danica Patrick. But it’s not only as drivers that women have been able to make their mark on Indy history.

Bessie Lee Paoli became the first woman owner of an Indy car in February of 1952 when she ordered her Kurtis Kraft 4000, chassis #349, from Frank Kurtis. Bessie chose the top powerplant of the day, the now legendary 270 Offenhauser. Anxious to see her new car in action, the first race Bessie entered was the 1952 Indy 500. The fact that women weren’t allowed inside the fence at the Brickyard didn’t slow Bessie down, as she was seen passing notes through the fence to her crew chief Clay “Mr. Horsepower” Smith. In its first race, the #16 Springfield Welding’s Smith Special, piloted by driver Chuck Stevenson, powered to an 18th place finish with a top speed of 136.142mph. While 18th place may not sound impressive, keep in mind that every year for Indy, 100 cars make it to the final qualifying, followed by another 66 getting cut after that before the race. For a brand new team, with a brand new car, to not only start the race but finish 18th is a pretty impressive showing!

The 1952 Indy 500 was only the beginning as Stevenson drove to more and more success, ultimately ending with a AAA (American Automobile Association) point championship for the Bessie Lee Paoli-owned team.

One year later, this time with Art Cross at the helm, Bessie’s #16 car qualified 12th, with a speed of 137.310mph, and finished 2nd at the 1953 Indy 500, just behind the legendary Bill Vukovich. Vuky was driving a nearly unbeatable new Kurtis “lay down” Indy Roadster, a purpose built asphalt car whereas the KK4000 cars were historically dirt cars adapted to race on the bricks of Indy and other paved ovals. The 1953 race also earned a place in history for being one of the hottest Indy 500’s of all time. Number 16 remained a competitive car throughout 1953 with “master of the dirt” Jimmy Bryan behind the wheel. Bryan brought home six top ten finishes on the dirt in 1953.

However, 1953 was the last time the Smith Special would take part in the Big Show, as Art Cross was unable to qualify (now car #6) for the 1954 Indy 500 with a respectable speed of 137.362. Various drivers raced the car throughout 1954 with some success but by 1955 the car was tired and qualifying for a race seemed near impossible. Bessie sold the Smith Special to her good friend Mari Hulman, another famous Indy Lady whom any fan of the race undoubtedly knows. For the next 30-plus years the historic Smith Special fell off the radar until it resurfaced in the 1990’s when, after years of searching, it was discovered and purchased by Indy historian Jim Mann. Mann immediately began a restoration of Bessie’s historic Smith Special to its 1952 trim.

Though restoration was not complete, the Smith Special was sold in 1998 to Glenn Smith of Rockwall, Texas. Smith continued the restoration and befittingly unveiled the revived car in 2000 at the Indy 500.

In 2001, after decades of laying in wait for its chance to shine again, the Smith Special was shown by invitation at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.  The following year, Hemming Motor News chose #16 as the feature car for their Vintage Racecar Calendar. And in 2003, in true epic fashion, an emotional Art Cross was reunited with the Smith Special, 50 years to the day after his historic second place 1953 Indy 500 finish.

Currently, #16 remains in Pebble Beach condition. The car ran flawlessly at the Milwaukee Mile during the 2008 and 2009 Miller Meet events and won the race car class at the 2008 Masterpiece Concours d’Elegance in Milwaukee, WI. Proud owners, Jeffry and Anne Boston of Illinois, plan to continue to share this spectacular piece of race history at various concours and vintage racing events.