1965 started out on a high note for the Gyronaut team. It was entered in the Autorama held at Cobo Hall in Detroit where it took home a trophy for top honors in its class as well as one of the top prizes of the Autorama, the coveted P.A. Sturtevant award for engineering excellence, an award typically given to hot rods with twice the number of wheels as the motorcycle streamliner. At this point, the Gyronaut was still a fresh build. It hadn't been run yet and still had no kick stands. The retractable skids would be worked out over the following months primarily by Maynard Rupp, who would also go on to win the prestigious Riddler Award the following year for his 1966 Malubu SS396 Funny Car, "Chevoom", sponsored by Gratiot Auto Supply. The weekend was captured in photos by the team of Bob Leppan, Jim Buflodt and Alex Tremulis.
Bob Leppan suited up with the Gyronaut in front of Cobo Hall.
An early preview of the twin engines.
Setting up the Gyronaut display inside the show.
Chassis by Ron and Gene Logghe, body by Vince Gardner and Bob Mattson, and a wishful STP sticker above the Gyronaut logo, hoping for sponsorship money from Andy Granatelli.
Extremely close quarters for the Gyronaut display, especially with the streamliner measuring in at 18 feet long, but still not high enough to even clear the headlights of the nearby unidentified hot rod.
In good company: Immediately behind the Gyronaut display is the famous Dodge A100 pickup, the Little Red Wagon, then tuned by Dick Branstner and run at the Motor City Dragway, formerly International Raceway Park (I.R.P.). It would go on to become the most recognized dragster ever, famous for its long-distance wheelies.
In good company: Immediately behind the Gyronaut display is the famous Dodge A100 pickup, the Little Red Wagon, then tuned by Dick Branstner and run at the Motor City Dragway, formerly International Raceway Park (I.R.P.). It would go on to become the most recognized dragster ever, famous for its long-distance wheelies.
Attracting crowds during the show.
Two Triumph Bonneville 650's sit comfortably within the highly detailed engine compartment, where anything that wasn't polished or painted was chrome plated.
The Gyronaut with its brand new trophies: Best-in-Class and the P.A. Sturtevant plaque sitting on the Triumph banner.
The Gyronaut team's P.A. Sturtevant award started out as recognition for the winning Indianapolis 500 mechanic when the cars carried both driver and mechanic. The intent was to recognize these unsung heroes who risked life and limb riding alongside the Indy car driver who typically garnered all the attention. The torque wrench, a necessary tool of the trade, was the highest honor for engineering achievement.
The Gyronaut was also inscribed on the perpetual P.A. Sturtevant trophy, its whereabouts unknown...
The Gyronaut was also inscribed on the perpetual P.A. Sturtevant trophy, its whereabouts unknown...
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