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  1986 Penske March 86C

IndyCar for Sale  

1986 March 86C Cosworth IndyCar 

This 1986 March Cosworth IndyCar is one of the few fully operational racecars of its kind anywhere. Most other examples were damaged in accidents and are now seen only in museums. It is restored to the livery of Al Unser’s winning entry in the 1987 500. The car is serial number 3 and was driven to eighth place in the 1988 Indianapolis 500 by Phil Krueger.

• Rare 1986 March in the livery of four-time Indy 500 champion Al Unser’s 1987 winner.


• Serial number (#3) March formerly owned by an Indianapolis 500 – winning race team.


• Created national media sensation as a two-year-old car to qualify in the top half of the 1988 Indianapolis 500 field.


• Winner, Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award.


• Driven to eighth place in the 1988 Indianapolis 500.


• Most comprehensive set of spare parts available anywhere.


• Vintage racing ready with Ford Cosworth engine.

The current long term custodian, R. Kent Baker purchased this 1986 March from Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Ron Hemelgarn in 1987. With some assistance from Roger Penske, he prepared the car to race in the 1988 Indianapolis 500. The driver was Phil Krueger, who also qualified for the 1986 Indianapolis 500. Krueger qualified on the outside of the fifth row, a success that created significant national media attention with USA Today as well as network television and extensive feature stories locally with the Indianapolis Star newspaper. 

The team was recognized for their impressive achievements with the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award, a prize in the name of the legendary championship mechanic who guided Mario Andretti to his only Indianapolis 500 victory in 1969. Baker and Krueger’s outstanding accomplishment came in an ultra-competitive era when 14 other drivers – including two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Gordon Johncock, Gary Bettenhausen, and other big names – failed to make the starting grid. Krueger drove the car to an eighth place finish on the same lap as the winner, four-time Indianapolis 500 Champion Rick Mears.

Baker and his team returned with the car for another shot at the Borg-Warner Trophy in 1989 with IndyCar race-winning driver John Paul, Jr. The team narrowly missed the field, being bumped at the very last minute by 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Davy Jones in an A.J. Foyt entry. Baker retired the car to his showroom after that event.

After being contacted by the Cummins Museum and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the mid-1990s (who both showed interest in the car due to its rarity) Baker decided to preserve it in the livery of Al Unser’s fourth and final Indianapolis 500 victory. Interest in the car, especially in the Unser tribute livery, is particularly acute because examples of 1986 March racers that are fully functional and race ready are exceptionally rare. What few March 86s that remain are for the most part crash damaged and/or relegated to museums. 

After the significant display of institutional interest in the car (Cummins was the primary sponsor of Unser’s Team Penske racer for his 1987 win) Baker purchased all the 86 Penske March parts he could find. His primary sources were the Penske Museum and Vince Granatelli who had spare parts from his days owning an IndyCar race team. Included in Baker’s spares are an extra set of wheels and road racing wings.

Additional spares are availble for separate purchase.

Although the estimated value is significantly higher the car with one set of wheels, Gerald Davis Cosworth and road racing kit is being offered for 

 

$125,000.00

Team Leader Motorsports • Indianapolis, IN • USA

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