1963 Watson Coral Harbour Special Roadster - Lot S254 // Saturday, May 17th// Indy 2025
1 of 23 Built Between 1956-1963 by the Legendary A.J. Watson, Driven by Jim Rathmann in the 1963 Indianapolis 500
SPECIFICATIONS 1963 Watson Coral Harbour Special Roadster
ENGINE 255 CI Inline 4-Cylinder
TRANSMISSION 2-Speed
EXTERIOR COLOR Blue
INTERIOR COLOR Red
HIGHLIGHTS
1 of 23 examples built between 1956-1963 by the legendary A.J. Watson
Purchased new from Watson by Indy racing team owner and then-heir to the Coca-Cola fortune, Lindsey Hopkins
Driven by 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Rathmann in the 1963 event
Rathmann started the race in 29th but retired just before half-distance with a magneto failure
Hopkins sold the car in 1964 to automotive seat belt maker and noted collector J.J. Robbins, who attempted to qualify the car in 1964 and 1965 without success
The Roadster wound up in Indy race car builder Grant King's garage, which happened to be located next to Watson's Leader Card Racing Garage outside of Speedway, Indiana, and was purchased by a local individual who only stored the car for decades
Later sold to respected vintage race car owner Bob McConnell
Never wrecked, cut or modified
In current owner's care since 2012
Extensive concours-correct nut and bolt restoration in its 1963 no. 16 Hopkins Coral Harbour Special livery (as run in the 1963 Indy 500 by Rathmann) completed in 2013 with the assistance of A.J. Watson
Following the restoration, the car was displayed as part of a classic race car exhibition during the Celebration of Automobiles Concours on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in Indianapolis, taking first in class at the event
Driven several laps alongside other vintage racers including Parnelli Jones at Legends Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jones' Indianapolis 500 victory in 1963
Winner of a class award at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The car received AACA Race Car certification and a First Junior award in 2013 at the fall meet at Hershey
Class award winner at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
