Hot Rods and Racing Cars #2

This non-fiction feature celebrates three legendary winners of the Indianapolis 500, showcasing the record-breaking cars and drivers who embodied American innovation and grit across three decades of the race. From the Thomas Delage of 1914 through De Paolo's Duesenberg and Wilbur Shaw's Gilmore Special in 1937, each entry highlights the mechanical ingenuity and fearless driving that defined this cornerstone of motorsport history.

Speed Davis, son of a legendary racing driver, finds himself in an unexpected position when a diphtheria epidemic strikes Mountain Ridge and a crashed emergency plane leaves its vital serum stranded. With his souped-up racing car and his inherited driving skills as his only assets, Speed volunteers to race the serum up the treacherous, narrow roads of Thunder Mountain before it's too late. But nature has other plans—a sudden rainstorm, engine troubles, and mountain curves that demand every ounce of his reflexes will push Speed to the absolute limit.

In "LeSabre: A Look into the Automotive Future," this 1952 feature explores an experimental two-seater concept car built by GM designers, examining the cutting-edge mechanical and styling innovations packed into this custom-built lab on wheels. From its jet-plane lines and ultra-low 36¾-inch profile to its dual-fuel injection system, electrically controlled convertible top, and push-button hydraulic jack, the LeSabre showcases the future of automotive design—technologies that may one day find their way into everyday cars. With its lightweight experimental V-8 engine, independent front suspension, and fourteen separate electric motors, this $350,000 machine represents four years of engineering ambition condensed into one futuristic vision.

Jimmy Mullane and his grandfather, a seasoned racing mechanic, travel to France to witness the legendary Le Mans 24-hour endurance race—the world's most grueling test of stock cars, where drivers must carry all their own tools and spare parts and perform their own repairs without pit crew assistance. As they watch from the stands, they witness spectacular crashes, incredible feats of driving skill, and the dramatic finale that determines the new speed record holder. It's a thrilling firsthand look at one of motorsports' most demanding competitions, seen through the eyes of an enthusiast and his knowledgeable mentor.

Buster Camshaft, the zaniest hot rodder around, gets into a heated argument with his rival Zip-Zip Calhoon over whose hot rod is faster—a dispute that nearly comes to blows until a cop suggests they settle it with an actual race. But when Buster rushes home to fetch his souped-up jalopy, he discovers it's gone, only to find his grandmother behind the wheel on an errand run, putting him in a wild dash against the clock to make the race on time.

When the Bridgehampton Lions Club revives road racing on Long Island in 1951, echoing the golden age of the Vanderbilt Cup races, the event draws top drivers and sports cars from across America and Europe to compete in a grueling 100-mile contest. Tommy Cole pilots his Cadillac-Allard through the competition, where he faces off against rivals piloting nimble Ferraris and other formidable machines in a battle that showcases both raw power and tactical racing prowess.

At the turn of the century, early automobiles earned their "horseless carriage" nickname—though many a horse was less than thrilled about sharing the road with these strange new machines. This curiosity piece explores how animals reacted to the arrival of the automobile age.