IMS Museum’s New “From the Vault” Exhibit Opens Nov. 20

by Cyndi Paceley

Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will showcase items from its permanent collection, including one-of-a-kind motorsports gems stored in the Museum’s basement, in a new “From the Vault” exhibit, presented by Bank of America. It will open to the public Nov. 20 and run through April 20, 2020.

The IMS Museum’s 1954-55 Mercedes W196 is a featured part of “From the Vault” Photo: IMS Museum


Exhibit items include:

• The 1954-55 Mercedes-Benz W196 Formula 1 car, and the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, the last Ferrari to score an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1965.

The IMS Museum’s 1964 Ferrari 250 LM was the last Ferrari to claim overall victory at Le Mans in 1965 with Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt driving. Photo: IMS Museum

• A host of historically significant Indy cars and pre-Indy race cars, including a 1906 FIAT, the 1957 winner of the “Race of Two Worlds” at Monza, Janet Guthrie’s 1978 Wildcat Indy car, and the fastest car in Indianapolis 500 history: Arie Luyendyk’s 1996 track record-setting Reynard/Ford 94I.

• Numerous pop culture artifacts and trophies, including items from the Rudolf Caracciola collection, representing the artisanship of pre-World War II European Grand Prix racing trophies.



Due to space constraints, the IMS Museum can display only 20% of its collection at any given time. Betsy Smith, the museum’s Executive Director, hopes the “Vault” exhibit offers a vision of what the museum could share on a regular basis if its current space were renovated and expanded. As a non-profit organization, that would mean first raising the necessary funds.

“Having honored a few of the most notable names in motorsports history with recent exhibits — Penske, Foyt, Unser, Andretti — we’re excited to share a sampling of what the IMS Museum has in its collection,” Smith said. “Our Indianapolis 500 fans will be excited to see the array of open-wheel racing items in our collection, but as this exhibit will show, the IMS Museum collection tells the story of global motorsports.”

Pending the results of a future capital campaign, the museum could complete a full renovation and expansion within 5-7 years.

With support from partners including Bank of America, the IMS Museum is launching several pilot educational programs to excite about the STEAM science, technology, engineering, arts and math aspects of racing.