Summary

Restored and engineered by a Luigi Chinetti disciple; known as the Chinetti Racer. Four-time Great Race car. Restored following its fourth Great Race. Ran Maine to Florida in 2014 and was restored again following the 2015 Great Race. Sold on Bill of Sale.

Details

Known as the "Chinetti Racer," this 1915 Hudson boattail racer was built by the legendary Frank Buonnano, founder of Black Horse Garage in Connecticut and a Luigi Chinetti disciple, who worked with Luigi and his Ferrari team for decades. Buonnano built this car using an authentic and well-preserved 1915 Hudson racer as a starting point, designing it for speed to enter the Great Race, formerly the Great American Race. Buonanno ran the Great Race in this car in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015, and restored it again following the last race. It features the original 1915 block, cylinder jug and carburetor, and the original starter/generator combo is still there for visuals only. The original camshaft was regrounded and increased power dramatically. The engine features a custom billet crankshaft and custom pistons by Egge with a compression ratio of 7:1. A custom bellhousing adaptor was fabricated, and a GM flywheel was redrilled to bolt to the crankshaft. It has custom connecting rods with specifically designed scoops for the oil lubrication system. Poured Babbitt main and rod bearings were hand-fitted. The external oil pump feeds the engine. The main bearings are oil-pressurized. It has a sprayed cam and timing chain. The rod bearings are fed oil via a spray going into a tray and scooped by the connecting rods. The original water pump housing was completely rebuilt. It also features a custom aluminum radiator and a custom handmade exhaust. Power is backed by a transmission that features a 1950s-era GM 3-speed with a mechanical overdrive and has done over 70 mph for great distances with this setup. This Hudson uses a GM clutch and features a custom shifter and clutch linkage, along with a custom driveshaft. It uses the original 1915 differential/rear axle. The chassis features the original 1915 frame, steering box and linkage. It also features original-style springs and lever-style shocks, adapted to work. It has the original artillery wheels, honed and balanced, as well as the original mechanical rear brakes with upgrades by Rochester Clutch & Brake. It features brand-new Jaguar XK120 front brakes that were rebuilt in 2024. There is custom linkage to operate both the mechanical rear brake and hydraulic front brake together, and features adjustable brake bias with this linkage. The sway bar added to the front is from a '60s-era 250 Ferrari. This Hudson features a custom fuel tank but utilizes the original grille shell and radiator combo. The original hood was lengthened, and the original firewall was moved back. It features a one-off handmade wooden body structure with a custom aluminum body skin made by The Panel Shop, fitted over the wood frame. The body was designed as a 1915 Hudson race car from Indianapolis race lineage. There is storage in the rear for the spare tire. It features period-correct headlights and modern reliable instrumentation and has been recently serviced. **SOLD ON BILL OF SALE**