The Saratoga Automobile Museum’s new exhibit, DYSON RACING: THE PRIVATE COLLECTION, has been a great hit with the general public.  But those with an interest in auto racing and racing history have found it to be especially enjoyable, as it features vastly different examples of historic race cars.Topping the list are a chain-drive 1913 Isotta Fraschini Tipo IM Indianapolis racer and the Jack Brabham driven 1961 Cooper Climax T-54 that started the rear-engine revolution at the 500. 

The Isotta is three times the size of the Cooper, but both feature impeccable workmanship that visitors get an intimate view of.Other race cars in the exhibit include a Mel Kenyon driven midget, Rob Dyson’s first race car, a ’74 Datsun 510 and a trio of rear-engine Indy cars: the #42 1967 AAR Eagle, David Hobbs’ ’74 Carling Black Label McLaren and a ’75 McLaren M16E in Gatorade livery wheeled by Johnny Rutherford.           

On the sports racer front, Rob and Chris Dyson have loaned a 1984 Porsche 962-101, a 2001 Lola EX-275-MG AER and a 2009-2011 Lola B09/86 along with an extensive array of memorabilia.  And finally, the exhibit includes a 1929 Ford Model A Phaeton, a 1931 Ford Model A Five-Window Coupe that Rob Dyson drove to high school, a 1956 Willy’s Jeep CJ-3B Fire Truck and an immaculate 1965 AC Bristol Cobra.             

Visitors will also enjoy a new mini-exhibit of some two dozen helmets featuring interesting art work.  Many are autographed by NASCAR and Indy car stars, including Mario Andretti, and give viewers an up close look at the helmets they see on TV.            Now open daily from 10 am to 5 pm with face mask and social distancing requirements in place, the Saratoga Automobile Museum is located on the Avenue of the Pines in the Saratoga Spa State Park. 

More information is available online at www.saratogaautomuseum.org.

Source: Ron Hedger/ Saratoga Museum PR