The 1936 Moyers Bear Special Indy Racer was built by Ray Moyer and was sponsored by The Bear Alignment Company. Walter Wentz originally drove the car in the 1936 racing season for six wins and nine second place finishes until a late August wreck forced him to retire. Bill Gable drove the Bear Special in the 1937 season scoring five wins and eleven second place finishes.
The car was restored in 2013 by D.L. George Historic Motorcars and returned to competition at the 2014 editions of the Hershey Hill Climb and the Savannah Speed Classic.
The 1936 Moyers Bear Special Indy Racer is a testament to the spirit of early American auto racing. Built by Ted Moyers with a focus on innovation and performance, the Bear Special competed in the prestigious Indianapolis 500, showcasing the ingenuity and determination of privateer racers. Today, it stands as a significant piece of racing history, celebrated for its role in the development of American motorsports.
Background
- Manufacturer: The car was built by Ted Moyers, a skilled mechanic and racer, who named it the Bear Special.
- Year: 1936
- Model: Bear Special (Indy Racer)
Specifications
- Engine: The Bear Special was powered by a Miller V8 engine. Miller engines were renowned for their advanced engineering and were commonly used in Indy cars during the 1920s and 1930s. This particular engine was likely a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder Miller engine, producing substantial horsepower for its time.
- Transmission: The car would have featured a manual transmission, typical of race cars from this era.
- Chassis: The Bear Special was built on a custom racing chassis, designed to be lightweight yet sturdy, to handle the stresses of high-speed oval racing.
- Suspension: The suspension system would have been a simple yet effective setup, using leaf springs and solid axles, optimized for the high-speed conditions of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Design and Features
- Body Style: The Bear Special is an open-wheel, single-seater race car. The design focused on aerodynamics and weight reduction, with a streamlined body and exposed wheels.
- Design: The car featured a low-slung, aerodynamic body with a narrow nose and a tapered tail. It was designed for minimal air resistance and maximum speed on the oval track.
- Interior: The interior of the car was spartan, with a single seat for the driver, a basic dashboard with essential gauges, and minimal padding. Safety features were rudimentary by modern standards.
Performance
- Speed: The Bear Special was built to compete at the Indianapolis 500, where speeds in the 120-140 mph range were common. The powerful Miller engine and lightweight construction would have enabled competitive lap times.
- Handling: The car was designed for high-speed stability and control on the banked turns of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Handling was critical for maintaining speed and safety over the long race distance.
Historical Significance
- Indy 500 Competitor: The Bear Special competed in the 1936 Indianapolis 500, one of the premier auto racing events in the world. Participating in this race was a significant achievement for any builder and driver.
- Privateer Effort: The car exemplifies the spirit of privateer racers, individuals or small teams who built and campaigned their own cars against larger, factory-backed teams. Ted Moyers' efforts reflect the ingenuity and passion of early American racing enthusiasts.
- Legacy of Innovation: The Bear Special is part of the legacy of innovative, home-built race cars that competed in the Indianapolis 500. These cars often featured creative engineering solutions and helped push the boundaries of automotive technology.
Legacy
- Historical Artifact: Today, the 1936 Moyers Bear Special is a valuable piece of racing history, representing the ingenuity and determination of early American racers. It is likely to be preserved in a museum or private collection, admired by enthusiasts for its historical significance.
- Inspiration for Future Generations: The story of the Bear Special serves as an inspiration for future generations of racers and builders, highlighting the importance of creativity, determination, and passion in the world of motorsports.
You may purchase a print of the 1936 Moyers Bear Special Indy Racer in our Savannah Speed Classic 2014 online gallery.