Quincy David Epperly was an American race car builder best known for his innovative work on Indianapolis roadsters. He was born in Floyd to John Wesley and Iowa Texas Epperly.
| Nationality | American |
| Years Active | 1955–1960 |
| First Race | 1955 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Race | 1960 Indianapolis 500 |
| Race Entries | 5 |
| Race Starts | 5 |
| Podiums | 5 |
| Pole Positions | 0 |
| Fastest Laps | 2 |
| Points | 0 |
| Constructors’ Championships | 0 |
| Drivers’ Championships | 0 |
| Best Start | 7th |
| Best Finish | 1st |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
| Retirements | 5 |
After completing a correspondence course in aircraft construction, Epperly moved to Southern California in 1940, where he worked for Lockheed and Pacific Airmotive. During World War II, he also served in the Coast Guard Reserve, combining engineering work with patrol duties.
Indy car racing
Early career with Kurtis
In the late 1940s, Epperly entered the racing world by working for Frank Kurtis, building racing car bodies. This experience launched a lifelong career in motorsport engineering and fabrication.
The “lay-down Offy” innovation
By the mid-1950s, Epperly had opened his own workshop in Lawndale. His most important contribution came in 1957, when he collaborated with chassis designer George Salih on a revolutionary Indianapolis car design.
The project featured the “lay-down Offy”—an Offenhauser engine mounted on its side rather than upright. This innovation improved aerodynamics and weight distribution on oval tracks, giving cars a significant competitive advantage.
Salih built only two chassis, but Epperly was allowed to produce his own versions. These cars quickly became widespread at the Indianapolis 500 from 1958 onward, marking a major shift in Indy car design.
Indianapolis 500 involvement
Epperly-built or modified cars competed in multiple Indianapolis 500 races, which at the time were part of the Formula One World Championship (1950–1960).
His work was particularly influential, as he contributed bodywork to winning cars in 1957 and 1958, helping cement the dominance of the lay-down design during that era.
Drag racing and land speed projects
Beyond Indy cars, Epperly also worked in drag racing and land speed record engineering. He built the body for the first “Spirit of America” land speed vehicle and later collaborated with figures such as Craig Breedlove.
He also contributed to projects like:
- The Spirit II dragster (1964)
- The Flying Wedge streamliner for Don Prudhomme (1971)
These projects demonstrated his versatility beyond traditional circuit racing.
Later work
In later years, Epperly became known for restoration work. One of his most notable projects was restoring the engine of the Cooper T54-Climax, famously associated with Jack Brabham.
This car played a key role in introducing rear-engine design to Indianapolis and won the Monterey Cup at historic racing events after restoration.
Epperly’s final major project was the restoration of his own Demler Special #99, which had finished second at the 1958 Indianapolis 500.
Legacy
Quincy Epperly is remembered as one of the most influential engineers in mid-20th-century American open-wheel racing. His work on the lay-down Offenhauser design helped redefine Indy car engineering, while his contributions to drag racing and historic restoration showcased a broad and lasting impact on motorsport.
Epperly Stats by Season
| Year | Engine | Drivers | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Offenhauser | Jim Rathmann | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | – |
| 1956 | Offenhauser | – | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | – |
| 1957 | Offenhauser | Sam Hanks, Jim Rathmann | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 1st | 0 | – |
| 1958 | Offenhauser | Jimmy Bryan, George Amick, Tony Bettenhausen, Jim Rathmann | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 1st | 0 | NC |
| 1959 | Offenhauser | Paul Goldsmith, Johnny Boyd, Tony Bettenhausen, Red Amick, Jimmy Bryan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | – | – | 0 | NC |
| 1960 | Offenhauser | Paul Goldsmith, Jimmy Bryan, Johnny Boyd, Jim McWithey, Wayne Weiler | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | – | 3rd | 0 | NC |
