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The Arciero Indianapolis Attempt
by Joel Finn
Also entered at Indianapolis in 1959 was another Maserati powered machine. It consisted of a Kurtis roadster chassis to which was mated one of the ex-Parravano 4.2 litre 450S engines. The project was financed by Frank Arciero of Los Angeles, California, a very active sportsman who owned and sponsored many racing cars during the late 1950s and early 1960's. The Arciero racing stable gave Dan Gurney his first big time rides, though for the Indianapolis attempt, a round track veteran, Shorty Templeman, handled the driving chores.
The 450S engine featured a major modification in the aspiration department, with Hillborn fuel injection replacing the Webers. The starter was removed in favour of the, Indianapolis style external starting arrangement. An alcohol blend was used in conjunction with a pressurised fuel tank system. Other than these changes, the engine was almost standard Maserati issue.
Templeman had no trouble reaching a speed sufficient to make the starting grid, but the car had a tendency to throw great quantities of oil in the turns. This was due to the constant lef t hand turns that caused oil to fill up the sump and spill out the breathers instead of being taken back to the dry sump oil tank. The problem could not be cured in time for the race and consequently it did not start.
Subsequently, the 450S engine was removed from the chassis and recently became the property of club member Simeon Shortman.
Correction re "Trident" No. 11. Have received a note from Joel Finn, and apparently the paragraphs were transposed in connection with the articles relating to the Arciero Indianapolis attempt.
The last paragraph of the Arciero attempt should read that that car is believed to have remained in the USA and the author had that car offered for sale to him some years ago less engine and axle. The offer was not taken up and the car has evidently once again sunk into obscurity. Anyone knowing the current whereabouts is requested to advise Joel Finn.
These articles first appeared in the Autumn 1976 issue of Trident
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