Herk’s Roadster Undergoing Restoration

By Bob Gates.

In the winter of 1963, Jim Hurtubise and his brother, Pete, built a roadster for the 1964 Indianapolis 500 in their family’s upstate New York barn. The story goes that before they could start on the car each morning they had to clean up after the resident pony!

Despite the horse droppings, the resulting car was lightweight, innovative and in Hurtubise fashion, aesthetic in its design. In fact, it was voted the best-looking car for that year’s 500.Herk was competitive in race before falling out with an oil leak. The next weekend at Milwaukee, Herk was in a three-way battle for the lead with Rodger Ward and AJ Foyt. They were running so close that when Ward’s car lost its transmission, Foyt climbed so hard on his brakes that Herk had nowhere to go and was launched over Foyt’s car. In the ensuing crash, the car burst into flames. Herk, was knocked unconscious, and trapped in the burning car. He was burned severely before rescue workers, led by his brother, could extinguish the flames.

Robbed of some of its parts, the car sat in the weather for years, before Herk’s former son-in-law, Jon Pashong obtained the car and recently began restoration. He’s gathered most of the parts needed and is well underway with the project. There’s no firm completion date, but it will be a beautiful, significant piece when finished.

Jon is on the lookout for a pair of Monroe, coil over rear shocks. If you can help contact Jon at 716-534-3617.