1955 Streamliner Special inspires Hot Wheels' Turbolence
by Doug Breithaupt

1955 Streamliner Fuel Injection Special
It would have been great if this car could have run at Indy in 1955.


Hot Wheels even did the number in the same gold color. The Hot Wheels model did not attempt the adjustable rear spoiler on the 'Turbolence'.

I came across the '55 Streamliner 'Fuel Injection' Special in a magazine promotion for the Kruse collector car auction in Monterey, California, August 2005 and immediately recognized the inspiration for Hot Wheels' 'Turbolence' model. The Hot Wheels version has been modified with a V12 and twin superchargers. There are other differences in detail but the source of the design for the Turbolence is very clear. The following is the description of the Streamliner Special as provided by Kruse International.

"The Last Fuel Injection Special" built by Quinn Epperly for the Ex-Bill Vukovich. Engine: Light alloy inline four, twin overhead camshafts per bank, 270 cu. in., in excess 385bhp at 5,250rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic disc; Suspension: front: solid axle tubular shocks, rear: solid axle, tubular shocks.

Owned originally by Howard Keck and built for the two time winner of Indianapolis Bill Vokuvich. This unique Indy Car was designed and developed to achieve "near zero" drag by adopting aerodynamic principals. A similar approach was first made popular by Auto Union and Mercedes on their pre-war monopostos with a resurgence to this design principal in the early 1950's.

The "Streamliner" project was headed by the legendary Indy car builder Quinn Epperly who was assisted by Jim Travers and Frank Coons. Affectionately known as the "Indy Wiz Kids", they set about to design and build the most advanced and competitive race car of their day. These same individuals would go on to even greater fame as principal players of Traco racing.

In addition to incorporating a voluptuously slippery body, an adjustable aerodynamic spoiler was incorporated in the rear and referred to at the time as an "elevator". Even more radical were plans for an all new purpose built V8 engine.

Howard Keck had arranged with Epperly and his boys to have the car built for Bill Vokuvich who had previously won the Indy 500 back to back in 1953 and 1954. It was hoped that the "Streamliner" would give Vokuvich an "unfair" advantage in attempting his third back to back win.

With Epperly unable to complete the car in time for the 1955 Indy 500, Vokuvich was offered a ride in Lindsey Hopkin's 500 Kurtis. Tragically, Vokuvich was killed in the race ending any further development

* ENGINE - inline 4
* CU IN - 270 cu in
* TRANS TYPE - Manual
* EXT COLOR - Red

'Turbolence' by Hot Wheels


1955 Streamliner Special - From the tail, the match with the Hot Wheels model is easy to see.


'Dayla Special' on the Hot Wheels model appears to be the name (Dayla) of the designer of this toy car.

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