Fred Gerhardt was a native of Fresno, California, and became one of American racing’s most successful engineers and car builders. Gerhardt partnered with fellow Fresno native Bill Vukovich, who drove Gerhardt Midgets to the 1945 and 1946 West Coast championships. Vukovich won the crown again in 1950, and in 1956 Johnny Parsons won the Pacific Coast title driving a Gerhardt. Between 1957 and 1972, Gerhardt entered cars in the Indianapolis 500, and won championship events with multiple drivers including legends Gordon Johncock and Gary Bettenhausen.

This Gerhardt Indy Car, chassis 002, was known in the period as the Gerhardt/Offenhauser Prototype, and was fitted for the first three years of its career with a four-cylinder Offy engine. It debuted on November 21, 1965 at Phoenix with Jim Hurtubise driving and placed 16th. During testing at Phoenix that year, this car had a supercharger installed on its Offy engine and Parnelli Jones set the lap record, bringing serious recognition, and corresponding orders, to Gerhardt.

In the years following, the Gerhardt Indy Car remained with the team and was piloted by numerous drivers including Mel Kenyon and Bob Veith, who used this car as a late entry into the 1967 Indianapolis 500, finishing a respectable 11th. A four-cam Ford engine was later fitted to the car, presumably to outfit it for road course use. Gary Bettenhausen and Art Pollard both drove it in 1968, with mixed results.

After retirement, this Gerhardt was owned by a few collectors and spent some time vintage racing, before being purchased by Mark Smith in 2007. Extensive correspondence on file documents Mr. Smith’s research of the car’s period history, which contrasts with prior attributions. As with most Indy cars of this era, there have been varying accounts of this car’s history and prospective bidders are urged to view the accompanying file. Receipts from servicing and sorting completed during his ownership are also included. Showing tremendous potential as the basis for restoration, this Gerhardt, along with its incredibly desirable powertrain, are sure to catch the attention of collectors.

*Please note that this Lot, like all vehicles in this Auction, has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to any road use.

Gooding & Company presents and conducts the Estate of Mark Smith Auction under the authority of John J. Rendemonti, Executor of the Estate of Mark J. Smith, duly appointed by the Circuit Court of the State of New Hampshire, Probate Division, Case Number 312-2022-ET-00072. The Estate has compiled available title and/or registration paperwork for the Vehicles offered in the Auction and will provide such paperwork to the Buyer if it is available. However, as set forth more fully in the Conditions of Sale, neither the Estate nor Gooding makes any representation or warranty with respect to any existing certificate of title or registration with regard to any Lot in the Auction. Any Lot may be sold on a Bill of Sale. By participating in this Auction, all bidders and buyers recognize that Estate and Gooding have expressly disclaimed all such warranties concerning the availability or sufficiency of any title or registration documentation.