They sold it for a hefty profit three years later to Studebaker, with Andy joining the management of South Bend automaker in the deal. Chemical Compounds had only one, little known product . Since May 30, 1911, the raceknown as the Indy 500 has been held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis,Indiana. They bought new cars and souped them up, racing on rural roads for money. Granatelli was the second of three sons, between Joseph (19192003) and Vincent (b. As a team owner he won the Indy 500 twice, first in 1969 with Mario Andretti, and lastly with Gordon Johncock in 1973. With no insurance, they had to start over from scratch. [1] Granatelli was born in Dallas, Texas. When it was destroyed in practice, his driver, Mario Andretti, was forced into a less desirable Brawner Hawk chassis, but went on to score his first and only win at the Brickyard. As they got older, they hauled around a car battery during cold Chicago winter mornings and gave jump starts to stalled cars for a dollar. They initially called it the Winfield Supercharged V-8. ANDY GRANATELLI gained considerable notoriety for his innovative approach to motorsports in the 1960s. His larger-than-life personality and flair for the dramatic made him an American cultural phenomenon. Granatelli earned respect from the close-knit Indy-car community for his efforts to revive the once-successful Novis from history's dustbin. Freebase Data Dumps. [3] He did not attend the race in 2013, and died later that year. 6) and STP Gasoline Treatment Special (No. /Producer (Apache FOP Version 1.1) 43,", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andy_Granatelli&oldid=1141732473, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 14:27. Granatelli was born in Dallas, Texas. See accession 2017.0092. Can you list the top facts and stats about Andy Granatelli? You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Hurricane events, according to Granatelli in his autobiography They Call Me Mister 500, included drivers who were experts at executingand survivingroll-over and end-over-end crashes, and also an ambulance that not only got caught up into the race but also ejected a stretcher (with a dummy on it) into the way of the racers. In 1948, Andy decided to try to qualify as a driver, and nearly did so, but a horrendous crash during his qualifying run ended that part of his career. Granatelli's cars became a significant presence at the Indianapolis 500. I was born supercharged.". When racing fans hear the name Granatelli, the first image that usually comes to mind is that of a large, jovial man wearing a white sport coat, covered in red, oval-shaped, STP decals. Its a race filled with technological innovations, engineering creativity, mechanical prowess, entrepreneurial aspirations, danger, and sadly, tragedy. << He was a man worthy of note in the world of cars and the world of business. In a letter to Studebaker President Sherwood Egbert, Granatelli wrote, "The thing that never ceases to amaze me is the ease . By 1956, the Granatelli Brothers were doing $14 million a year with Grancor as masters of the concept of mass merchandising high-performance auto parts. In 1973, Granatelli retired his USAC team, and STP became a sponsor of Patrick Racing. In the 1920s, Papa Granatelli worked as a grocer during the day and taught himself how to read and write English at night. Biography. He was 90. Joe passed away in 2003, Andy this past December 29th, leavingVincent as the sole brother still with us. Mathews, Barbara E. "Profile of a Phenomenon," American National Business Hall of Fame. Other intellectual property rights may apply. "I've Got The Car Right Here,", Caraviello, David. During the 1960s Granatelli rapidly expanded STP from a seven-person company with sales of $2 million to an operation . Granatelli was one of the sharpest minds in motor racing. The Novi engine that Andy Granatelli brought to the 1963 Indianapolis 500 had 734 HPin contrast to other cars that had approximately 400 HPand it wasalso lighter in weight at 1,680 lbs. "FV %H"Hr ![EE1PL* rP+PPT/j5&uVhWt :G+MvY c0 L& 9cX& [2], 2013 Indianapolis 500 Radio Broadcast, May 26, 2013, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 14:27, Indianapolis 500 curse that is named for Mario Andretti's family, "Auto racing legend Andy Granatelli dies at 90", "Andy Granatelli Dies at 90; Revved Businesses and Cars", "13 Inductees set as Class of 2011 for National Sprint Car Hall of Fame", "Midget Hall Of Fame Ceremony Set For Jan. 11". A look at the Speedo LZR Racer, an invention that made too big of a splash. Andy Granatelli Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Hurricane events, according to Granatelli in his autobiography They Call Me Mister 500, included drivers who were experts at executingand survivingroll-over and end-over-end crashes, and also an ambulance that not only got caught up into the race but also ejected a stretcher (with a dummy on it) into the way of the racers. Inducted into the Daytona Beach Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2003. He was married to Dolly. Copyright 2023 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. With virtually no advertising budget, Andy created a four-pronged approach to turn the company around: a recognizable corporate logo (the STP oval), a product (oil treatment), a product spokesman (himself) and a reason for existence (racing). Back at Indianapolis, Granatelli entered a revolutionary race car of his own design - one with a turbine engine in 1967 and 1968. Road & Track participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Granatelli and his brothers Vince and Joe got into racing in the 1930s Next they went to stock car racing first with Nichels Engineering and Fred Lorenzen in 1971 and later with Petty Enterprises in 1972. A larger than life personality, and a genuine character, Granatelli's two Indy 500 wins as an owner were in many ways overshadowed by . He was 78. In 1948, Andy decided to try to qualify as a driver, and nearly did so, but a horrendous crash during his qualifying run ended that part of his career. "The thing is, you must get in there and race. A large portion of the files relate to Granatelli's term as President of STP, a division of the Studebaker Corporation, from 1961-1974. The Granatelli Brothers story is one of hard work, commitment and never giving up, all qualities they learned growing up on the streets of Chicago. Andy was born on March 18, 1923 in Dallas, Texas. Granatelli made the company profitable in seven months and sold it to Studebaker Corporation. Our car experts choose every product we feature. Again they pooled their cash and opened up Andys Super Service at 4506 N. Clarendon, just off Lake Shore Drive. I have also enjoyed reading Andys autobiography They call me Mr 500. Hotshoe Andy Granatelli, who knew a thing or two about driving fast-and even more about promoting merchandise-was president of Paxton Products at the time, and one of his superchargers wailed under the Avanti's hood. That and STP's sponsorship of Richard Petty's NASCAR efforts, which continue to this day, made the STP logo one of the most recognizable in sports. The collection consists primarily of files, photographs, scrapbooks, and drawings. /N 3 STP Oil Treatment. Anthony Andy Granatelli was the CEO of STP and a major figure in automobile racing events. [1] Granatelli was born in Dallas, Texas. And with the Novi project officially parked, the Granatellis worked in secret on a vehicle they dubbed "Turbocar.". Already the owner of numerous Indianapolis 500 race cars that ran from 1946 through 1954, including Jim Rathmann's second-place finisher in 1952, he returned after a seven-year hiatus in 1961, having acquired the Novi race cars from Lew Welch. Andy Granatelli, a flamboyant race car driver turned businessman who became a household name with TV commercials for his STP fuel and oil additives, died Sunday at a Santa Barbara hospital. The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most prestigious motorsports events in the world and the premier motorsport car race in the United States. Granatelli gained notoriety in the 1960s as an entrant at the Indianapolis 500 where his STP-branded creations, including the famous turbine-powered cars, captured the imagination of an entire nation. There will always be an innovative car; there shall ever be progress, no matter what. For many years he ran a successful grocery business in Dallas. Rolt wrote on September 27, 1963, "Andy, this is a heck of a thing to try and settle by writing or cables and I really think you ought to come over immediately and talk.". Forever the Impossible Dream. Joe, Andy, and Vince continued to be leaders by example and amassed personal fortunes during the course of their lives. It wasnt long till he was one of best wrenches on the north side. The Luyendyk-piloted Lola-Chevy won at Phoenix, Granatelli somehow kept the team going through the summer despite falling out with Tezak, and was rewarded for his perseverance with another win, when Luyendyk captured victory at Nazareth and went on to finish sixth in the championship. STP could be found in virtually every venue of speed: on land, on the water or in the air. Hardwick slams flawed IMSA BoP, announces WEC plans, Honda reveals Civic Type R pace car for IndyCar events, Honda's new Civic Type R pace car He clad his pit crews in white coveralls with the oval STP logo scattered all over them, and once wore a suit jacket with the same STP-laden design. He was 78. Granatelli mass-marketed his product like none ever before. Mathews, Barbara E. "Profile of a Phenomenon," American National Business Hall of Fame. Barnum style it was no wonder that the station was prosperous, and just two years later, in 1945, he formed the Granatelli Corporation, known as Grancor Automotive Specialists. Granatelli was a member of the famous racing family that made its name through "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," including his father, Andy, the flamboyant owner of the car that. Propelled by a Pratt & Whitney jet engine, the turbine was unlike anything the Speedway had seen, and for 1968, Granatelli and Chapman united to build an optimized version of the car. Andy Granatelli Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History (AC1403-0000035). (2001-) Is retired & living in Montecito, CA. He sold it for $60 million in 1986. A larger than life personality, and a genuine character, Granatelli's two Indy 500 wins as an owner were in many ways overshadowed by . He was 90. nm0334686. An innovator, tireless promoter and public relations genius, the flamboyant, larger-than-life Andy Granatelli succumbed to congestive heart failure Sunday, Dec. 29 in a Santa Barbara, Calif . I'll continue to develop with it. These successes led to opportunities with Chrysler and ultimately, engineering a redesign of the famed Indianapolis Novi engine. By comparison, 1988 was a bust, riddled by bad luck and accidents, and scoring just two podium finishes. That's what it's all about. It was believed that Granatelli attended every Indianapolis 500, whether as a participant or as a spectator, from 19462012. 2021 IndyCar title is just the start for Ganassi's newest star, Why Grosjean's oval commitment shows he's serious about IndyCar, Why Grosjean's title bid is serious If you were to characterize Granatelli as a shameless self-promoter, a braggart of the first order, you would, in part, be right. Other things contained in the files include meeting minutes, articles of association, business and financial records, legal records and profit and loss statements. Hammering out details about Ferguson building an entire car in England into which the Novi engine would fit was done by correspondence and telegrams, much of which forms part of the Andy Granatelli Collection in the Archives Center. Two years later, Studebaker management wanted Granatelli to work his magic on an under-performing division called Chemical Compounds Corporation. Afterward, USAC banned the car. Andy Granatelli Biography, Automotive Hall of Fame (last accessed January 29, 2020 https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/andy-granatelli/). I am adding to the gallery some treasured photos of Andy and his cars at the 1969 Indy Car race at Hanford, CA . About Biography. In 1958, Andy and his brother Joe purchased Paxton Products, a failing engineering firm that made superchargers. Season: St: W: T5: T10: Poles: Standing: Laps Led 1950: 1 of 5: 0: 1: 1: 10: 0 TOTALS: 1: 0 0%: 1 Inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. Month of May Reports from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway along with auto racing news & commentary during the year , Ed Carpenter fastest on Fast Friday at 230.522 mph . During World War II, he became a promoter of automobile racing events, such as the "Hurricane Racing Association", which combined racing opportunities for up-and-coming drivers with crowd-pleasing theatrics. Granatelli's second victory came in the rain-plagued 1973 race with Gordon Johncock at the wheel. Guerrero came home runner-up. He grew up in Chicago during the Depression and was raised in dire poverty, along with his brothers. Next race, the Indy 500, Guerrero took over the lead after the dominant Mario Andretti retired with 23 laps to go, but his cars clutch had been damaged in a collision with another cars errant wheel which flew up into the grandstands and killed a spectator. Hardwick slams flawed IMSA BoP, announces WEC plans, Nigel Mansells greatest F1 and Indycar drives, Nigel Mansells greatest drives Maybe a plain old piston car. actor. But he was also a bona fide hot rodder with a long association as a car builder/owner at the Indy 500. Intense development of the abandoned Novi V8 engine, including the addition of superchargers from Granatelli's Paxton firm, became the family's mission in the early Sixties. Their father, Vincent, an immigrant born near Palermo, Italy, became a widower when the boys were just 16, 12 and 8, respectively. The collection documents Granatelli's lifelong involvement with automobiles, from his youth through his career as an auto industry executive, and as a racing car owner, designer and promoter. . They did their own mechanical work, and brought innovations like fully independent suspension, yet never made it to "Victory Lane". His sponsorships via the STP oil additive company changed the way automotive product companies used motorsports and vice versa. "When I came to Indy the first time in 1946 the track was mostly brick and weeds were growing in the corners. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. By Marshall Pruett Dec 29, 2013 Media Platforms Design Team An Indianapolis. Andy became the front man for an oil additive known as Scientifically Treated Petroleum (STP) and Andy's ability as a marketer made STP one of the most famous brands in racing beginning in the 1960s. (Merriam-Webster). He was an actor, known for The Love Bug (1968), Laugh-In (1967) and Pro Bowlers' Tour (1962). In 1963, Bobby Unser (above) qualified sixth at 149+ mph but crashed out of the race on Lap 2. Both featured patented a Ferguson four-wheel-drive system and both are powered with updated Novi overhead camshaft V-8 engines with 775 HP. He was 90. Granatelli bought Tuneup Masters in 1976 for $300,000. The Love Bug (1968)as Association President, The Joey Bishop Show (1968-1969)as Himself, The Dick Cavett Show (1970)as Himself - Guest, Your email address will not be published. Andy Granatelli, in They Call Me Mister 500, page 227). You needed races to sell speed parts so he promoted races. Departing pit lane after his last stop, Guerreros faulty clutch caused him to stall twice, handing Penskes Al Unser his fourth Indy 500 victory. In 1957, they walked away from it all and retired or so they thought. Their dedication to selling the secret of speed took them racing, first as drivers, then as promoters. Andy Granatelli took that advice to heart when his team's turbine-powered Indy car failed, in a most heartbreaking fashion, to win the 1967 Indianapolis 500. When Andy Granatelli wasn't burning up tracks, he was tearing up the business world. This translates into enormous horsepower (HP), but it also means the car can be hard to handle. He then taught Andy and they both taught Vince. Longtime spokesman for STP Corporation, makers of oil treatment, lubricants, and other additives. In the 1920s, Papa Granatelli worked as a . Collection donated by Vincent J. Granatelli, 2017. With this unique service and Andy's P.T. STP RACERS - From his early days, Andy Granatelli was a marketer. The next few years, pushing the high-performance benefits of their superchargers, the company set more than 300 land speed and endurance records at various racing venues. Granatelli eventually became visible in the racing world in the 1960s as the spokesman for STP oil and gasoline treatment products, appearing on its television and radio advertisements as well as sponsoring race cars. Andy Granatelli, the colorful racing entrepreneur known as "Mr. 500," died Sunday in Santa Barbara, Calif., his son Vince announced. Something. The scrapbooks in the collection contain clippings, biographical materials, and other documents relating to auto racing in America and especially the Indianapolis 500. Published in the Post-Tribune / Chicago Sun-Times News Group Anthony "Andy" Granatelli passed away Sunday, December 29, 2013 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 90. But the title Mister 500 is the one that befits him most, for it describes a lifelong dream to conquer the famous 500-mile race in Indianapolis. Granatelli's fame, however, came in the 1960s, when he became president of the STP Corporation. 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