PerTronix Studebaker Gran Muscle & Classic Car Parts

Who gets your pick as the best manufacturer from the golden age of the muscle car wars?

I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but the '64 GTO was not the first muscle car.

This is more than the story of a vintage sprint car. It's also the story of how a dynamic duo of "Speedy" Bill Smith and Jan Opperman toppled giants at the 1976 Hulman Classic.

Here's another installment in our 70th anniversary series highlighting some of the great stories and cars from Speedway Motors history. Meet the Mechanical Rabbit...

Jan Opperman was a two-time Indianapolis 500 starter in 1974 and 1976. His success with USAC earned him a ride in the 1974 Indianapolis 500 in this very car. He didn't finish, but there's plenty more to the story...