Viva Carrea Magazine

Photo in this recent edition of Frank Ruppert and Gary Faules with the 1951 race trophy made of silver

Anyone who has an appitite for anything of historical signifgicance with respect to La Carrera Panamericana should absolutely become a member and subscribe to the Road Race Lincoln Register. While it does cater primaraly to Lincolns, there is a wealth of information and amazing photographs and feature articles about the race it's self. In this month's edition of VIVA CARRERA there is the first installment of an interview with my very dear friend, the late Frank Ruppert who is without a doubt one of La Carrera Panamerican's most significant caracters and contributers.

Founded in 1972, the Road Race Lincoln Register was created to recognize the very special breed of Lincolns manufactured in 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955, now known and revered as the "Road Race Lincolns," a rare breed of luxury car that became legendary for its prowess and durability in the "Mexican Road Race" in the early 1950's.

The club is international, with members in seven countries outside the United States. The club was expanded to include the 1949-1951 Lincolns, and then later assimilated 1956 and 1957 Lincolns into its ranks. It currently has approximately 250 members in the U.S. and seven other countries, and is an excellent source of information, parts and technical assistance for these cars.

The club publishes its magazine VIVA CARRERA! on a quarterly basis, with full color printing on the outside and inside covers. Dues are $36/year, U.S. and outside U.S.



The club may be contacted through its Editor:
Bill Culver - 640 Homestead Avenue - Metairie, Louisiana 70005, or bigeasy3@msn.com

God's Speed My Dear Friend Frank Ruppert

Several years ago my good friend Carson Scheller introduced me to one of the most amazing automotive guys I have ever had the privilege of getting to know. Way back then I made a post on my blog that started out... "Over the weekend I was very fortunate to get to spend a lot of time with a simply incredible car guy. His name is Frank Ruppert." Not only was I fortunate to meet Frank but in fact we became very good friends and talked on a regular bases. It is with heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I am saddened to report that Frank Ruppert passed away on Tuesday night, September 14, 2010. Like his son Chris Ruppert said, "He also loved life! Wow..90 years young! He was a unique and charismatic man who will be greatly missed by all."


I wished I felt more like writing about him as there is so much to tell and stories he shared with me that would leave even the biggest automotive story teller in dismay. Right up to the end Frank had a mind like a steel trap and better yet could back up ever detail with facts, photos and so on. Not only that but Frank helped give some of the biggest names in racing their start not to mention he hung out with many of the biggest names in racing. That said, I will be miss him terribly.

CLICK HERE for an article I posted way back when.

God's speed Frank. I love you.

Dropping Names LCP Style

In the early 50's the list of who's who of drivers that took part in La Carrera Panamericana was not to be sneezed at and if there was one team that had a list that stood out more than others with out a doubt it was Lincoln. A very good site that has a lot of great information on the Lincolns that competed in La Carrera Panamericana check out our friends over at THE ROAD RACE LINCOLN REGISTER.

I'm very excited to post these never before seen slides.

1953 LCP Lincoln Team


Jack McGrath


Bill Vukovich



Frank J Ruppert with the original 1st place trophy


Trivia about them;

Troy Ruttman; Youngest driver to ever win Indy.

Bill Vukovich; Died in crash at Indy. Remains the only driver ever to lead the most laps at Indy for three consecutive years.

Jack McGrath; The helmet McGrath wore during the 1953 Indy 500 is for sale on EBay for $15,000.00 CLICK HERE



In the mean time watch this very interesting video that highlights four Indianapolis drivers that drove for Lincoln in the eary LCP races. They are Troy Ruttman, Bill Vukovich, and Jack McGrath. Each of these drivers drove for my very dear friend Frank Ruppert.

God's Speed Chuck Daigh

This evening it was hard to for me to break the sad news to Frank Ruppert about Chuck Daigh's passing since they had been best of friends for a lifetime. I listened as Frank reminisced about countless adventures Chuck and he shared. Frank recalled times when Chuck had worked for Clay Smith and when Chuck had driven Frank's service truck when Frank took part in sponsoring Clay Smith in a 1948 Mercury in the 1952 La Carrera Panamericana. (photo below) Frank described what was truly a gentleman and quietly said the world has lost a fine man.



Chuck Daigh was born in Long Beach, California. He built hot rods prior to WW II and ran at the Dry Lakes.

He served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne during WWII and saw action in France, Belgium and Germany, including fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. On his return he went to work for Bill Stroppe and Clay Smith preparing the Bob Estes entered Lincoln Capris for the Carrera Panamericana Mexican road race. He was the co-driver on three occasions, in 1952 and 1953 with Walt Faulkner, finishing 8th in 1953 and with Chuck Stevenson in 1954 when they failed to finish.

Chuck Daigh also drove Stock Cars in NASCAR as well as many other venues of racing. On the 29th of May 1960 he debuted in F1 and participated in another five Grands Prix at the wheel of a Scarab and a Cooper. What you will not see is the little known fact that he was the chief engineer that designed and built the Scarabs that became so famous. It was Daigh that drove the Scarab to victory in the 1958 Riverside International Grand Prix beating a field of international factory teams including famous race car driver Phil Hill and the Ferrari Team. Carroll Shelby drove the Scarab sports car built by Daigh to victory at the Continental Divide raceway in Castle Rock Colorado setting a new course record. He was also a successful sportscar driver in America, winning the 1959 Sebring endurance classic and also tried to qualify twice for the Indianapolis 500.

Like my good friend Carson Scheller said, "There goes another one .. crossin the final finish line of life... checkers wavin... crowd cheerin... hot tires, engine steamin and a satisfaction of a life well lived... RIP Chuck Gaigh."

Chuck Daigh died in the hospital in Newport Beach, California after a brief battle with heart and respiratory problems at 86 years of age.

Some awesome living history... Frank Ruppert

Over the weekend I was very fortunate to get to spend a lot of time with a simply incredible car guy. His name is Frank Ruppert. While many of you La Carrera fans may not be familiar with his name, more than likely you have seen or read about some of his cars or drivers that he and his brother Frank C. Ruppert had part in sponsoring during some of the most historical La Carrera Panamericana races of the early 50's. Unfortunately Frank C. Ruppert (who is Frank's brother with the same name) is no longer with us but it would have been our pleasure to have listened to any input that he could have shared with us since he had so much to do with Ruppert Motors involvement and success's as well. Thanks to Frank C. Ruppert's daughters I was able to learn he was equally as amazing. One of them told me that Frank C. Ruppert did own many yachts throughout his lifetime and was considered one of the most accomplished yachtsmen and navigators on the West Coast. It seems both these gentlemen lived glorious lives.

I had the awesome fortune not only of getting to meet Frank in person so we could interview him for our soon to be released HD DVD about our La Carrera experience but Frank and his son and his son's wife treated us to brunch at his private yacht club. It goes without saying this was a first cabin experience and one we will not soon forget. Don't even get me started about visiting some of the car collections that Frank is involved with or his yacht.




Considering Frank Ruppert is without a doubt one of the most unforgettable characters I have ever had the distinct pleasure of meeting it's difficult for me to understand why everyone hasn't heard of him. Working with his brother Frank helped operated a Los Angeles Lincoln Mercury dealership and several other automobile business as well back in the 50's which took part in sponsoring some of the most famous names that have ever been known in the automotive racing hall of fame. Besides those sponsored, he was best friends with so many other racing greats on a first name basis. Not only did the cars and drivers that Frank was involved with win several of the early La Carrera's but in fact set records doing it many of which still stand to this day. There are too many to name but some of the most famous names in racing drove on that Lincoln team including Clay Smith, Johnny Mantz, Troy Ruttman, Bill Stroppe, and the list goes on and on. All of these drivers raced in other venues as well such as Indy and Nascar. One of Frank Ruppert's relationships was with the youngest driver to ever win the Indy 500. Not only did Frank travel with the teams back in those first history making races but he was instrumental in helping teams develop methods that have carried over into many other venues of automotive racing today.



Frank's son and wife brought the winning trophy which was awarded to Troy Ruttman and Clay Smith in 1951 by the Mexican Government which is a one of a kind trophy that requires at least two men to carry around. This is one trophy that you will most certainly not see someone hold above their head on the pedestal. To stand in the presence of this spectacular award is an honor all by it's self. Frank Ruppert has a mind like a steel trap and a wit that is it's equal and when he talks about the days of those great men and their machines you are a captive audience. Our interview with Frank is nothing short of magnificent and there simply isn't enough time in a weekend to enjoy listening to him reminisce about what are possibly the greatest moments that ever took place with respect to La Carrera Panamericana especially when you consider he was there in person.





This is just one of many old car magazine adds using one of winning Lincolns that was sponsored by Ruppert Motors.


Frank's participation in helping us document and express the true passion felt by anyone having "personal" involvement with La Carrera Panamericana simply cannot be told any better. I cannot wait to spend more time with a man who is indeed the true essence of La Carrera Panamericana. To meet and know Frank is to love him. Just wait until you hear him on our DVD.