By Bob Baker
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (November 11, 2010) – The 1932 ‘big car’ known as the “Prison Car” is now on display in the National Sprint Car Museum in Knoxville. The Floyd “Pop” Dreyer-manufactured frame and body were assembled in the State Prison of Southern Michigan in Jackson as a project for Lyle E. May and fellow prisoners. Upon May’s release, the Model ‘B’ Ford-powered car was run in International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) and Central States Racing Association (CSRA) events in the Midwest.
Current owner Rick Sturim of Wyoming, Michigan, has loaned the car to the museum in south central Iowa, which is currently assembling a collection of ‘big cars’, sprint cars and supermodifieds that have either never appeared in the museum or haven’t been in the museum for at least a decade. The “Prison Car”, which carries the number 17 and was originally restored by Dick McKee of Columbiana, Ohio, will be on loan through October, 2011.
According to museum curator Tom Schmeh, “We are very pleased to finally be exhibiting the ‘Prison Car’. It certainly is well known to IMCA and CSRA historians, but also to those who follow today’s Antique Auto Racing Association (AARA) exhibition events. It is interesting that it joins two other ‘big cars’ currently in the museum that were built in 1932, the John Gerber number 15 and the Gene Dodd number D-3 cars. Visitors who haven’t been to the museum recently will be surprised by our current collection, I think.”
Those seeking more information on the non-profit museum, which is open seven days a week, year-round, can visit www.sprintcarhof.com. Also, the museum can be reached at 641-842-6176 daily.