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Lucenti Graham Period Indy 500 Race Car – A Purebred American Indy Racer
It’s 1934. The engines roar, the grandstands of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are packed with thousands of spectators, and the scent of oil and gasoline lingers in the air. Right there, on the starting grid, stands the Lucenti Special, a low-slung, aggressive Indy racer built by three motorsport enthusiasts from Pittsburgh. A car that, even back then, was already writing history.

And the best part? This is no forgotten relic. This Lucenti Graham has been fully restored and is in absolute top condition, just as it crossed the finish line in 10th place at the 1934 Indy 500!
If this isn’t a time machine, we don’t know what is. This car encapsulates an era when passionate engineers with limited resources challenged the giants of motorsport. It’s a machine that once stood before roaring crowds at Indianapolis, passed through the hands of forgotten racers, and has now, after an incredible journey, been brought back to its former glory. We are absolutely in love with this Lucenti! A fantastic racer that deserves a true enthusiast.

Indy 500 in the 1930s: The ‘Junk Formula’
The 1930s were a tough time for motorsports. The Great Depression had taken its toll, making the ultra-expensive Miller and Duesenberg race cars virtually unattainable. But the Indianapolis 500 had to go on, so a new rule was introduced: the ‘Junk Formula’.

From 1930 to 1935, teams were allowed to build relatively affordable specials based on production cars. The result? Pure ingenuity and mechanical brilliance, with race cars emerging from home garages rather than big factories. And that’s exactly where this Lucenti Graham comes into play.

A Race Car Built by Enthusiasts with Grand Prix Aspirations
In 1932, three car enthusiasts from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, came together: Angelo Lucenti, Roy Painter, and John Saunders. Their mission? To build their own Indianapolis 500 racer, using a Graham Blue Streak Eight as the foundation.

What made this Lucenti so special?

– 265 cubic inch (4.3-liter) L-head straight-eight engine – featuring larger valves and a custom intake with four Winfield Model SR carburetors.
– Low and aerodynamic body – made possible by a unique banjo-frame, allowing the rear axle to run through the chassis for an ultra-low center of gravity.
– Hand-built race car – created by enthusiasts, engineered for America’s greatest racing event.

The car was named the ‘Lupasa Special’, a combination of the first letters of the builders’ last names. It attempted to qualify for the 1932 Indy 500 but fell just short. A later attempt at the Syracuse circuit was also unsuccessful. But Lucenti refused to give up.

Indy 500, 1934: The Breakthrough!
Two years later, Lucenti returned with the same car, now rebranded as the ‘Lucenti Special’. This time, it made the cut: driver Herb Ardinger clocked an average speed of 111.7 mph on the 2.5-mile oval, securing a spot on the grid.

– Starting position: mid-field
– Drivers: Herb Ardinger and later Danny Day
– Result: 10th place in the 1934 Indy 500!
– Additional races: 8th place at Springfield and Syracuse

From Orphanage to Concours d’Élégance
Now, the story takes an extraordinary turn. After its racing career ended, the Lucenti Special ended up in an orphanage! Yes, it was used as a playground structure for children. Luckily, the car was rescued in 1950 by a collector, who kept it in his possession for an astonishing 55 years.

In 2006, the Lucenti Special resurfaced, and a full-scale historical restoration began. Remarkably, the aluminum body and original engine were still intact. Only the exhaust system and interior had to be rebuilt. The result? A Lucenti in prime condition, fully restored to its 1934 Indy 500 specification. This restoration even won its class at the Amelia Island Concours d’Élégance in 2010.

Unique Features of This Lucenti
– A true 1932 Indianapolis 500 race car – fully preserved and restored
– Original 1934 race configuration – an authentic piece of American motorsport history
– Timeless, pure, and mechanically brilliant – a true ‘Junk Formula’ racer
– One of the last surviving Junk Formula cars from the 1930s in this condition

Are you interested in owning this exceptional Lucenti? Get in touch with us today. Do you live outside the Netherlands?