1956 F-100 Was the Original Race Car Hauler
Famous F-100 truck reminds us of a time when motorsports wasn’t all about money.
Nowadays, when you think about motorsports, you think about a lot of fancy things. Big time technology, big name sponsors and advertising dollars, and massive car haulers. But racing wasn’t always about the cash. It used to be about racing, and the passion that drivers had for it. And believe it or not, there was a time when the occupation of race car driver didn’t come with a multi-million dollar salary.
For decades following automotive racing’s conception, race cars were hauled around on open trailers. Those trailers were pulled not by decked out semi trucks, but by regular old pickups. Sometimes even station wagons. Heck, drivers and their mechanics typically even slept in these trucks, or in cheap motels if they had the cash. It’s a stark contrast to today’s preferred mode of racing driver transportation – luxurious motorhomes.
The rig you see here is a perfect example of racing’s simpler times. The 1956 F-100, complete with matching trailer and race car, is on loan to the Henry Ford Museum from none other than Bobby and Lisa Unser. It was originally used by Bobby’s brother, Jerry, who was the first Unser to compete at the Indianapolis 500 in 1958. A horrific crash ended his day, however. And sadly, a practice crash preceding the 1959 Indy race took his life.
Both Bobby and Jerry’s other brother Al went on to win the Indy 500, and his son Johnny and nephew Robby have also competed in the legendary race. But there was a time when the Unser name was nothing more than a logo painted on the side of an old F-100. Most likely with Jerry and his crew taking a cat nap inside the vintage Ford.
