A one-of-a-kind 1970s sprint car, listed for sale to fund a co-owner's Parkinson's disease treatment, was stolen from a Portland property earlier this month. Marvin Price, 83, and his friend Tom Hanna, also 83, were seeking to raise $40,000 from the sale of the 1974 sprint car to help cover the substantial annual cost of Price's medical care.
The vehicle, built by renowned car designer Grant King, was stolen on August 9 from a trailer in Sellwood, a neighborhood in Southeast Portland. According to Hanna, thieves cut locks and broke into the storage area, hitched the trailer to a vehicle, and fled the scene, smashing through a fence. The trailer, along with racing tires, spare parts, and tools, were also taken.
Price, who is undergoing treatment for Parkinson's, faces annual medical costs of $144,000. The sprint car, purchased by Price and Hanna two decades ago, has had an additional $70,000 invested in it over the years. The pair acquired the car from an individual who had bought it directly from Grant King. King is recognized as a significant figure in Indianapolis 500 history for his design and mechanical expertise.
The listing for the car detailed its unique construction, noting that King built it using parts from two damaged Indy cars from the Gene White Racing Shop. The vehicle features a four-wheel independent suspension, a two-speed transaxle, a clutch, a starter, and Hillebrand cast-magnesium wheels marked Lotus. The stolen trailer was also part of the sale.
Hanna expressed that the loss is more than just financial, viewing the car as a symbol of his 70-year friendship with Price and a means to support his friend's health. The police have been alerted, and the public is being asked to report any sightings of the car or trailer. Sellwood is located approximately five miles from downtown Portland, a city that has faced visible challenges in recent years, including increased homelessness and drug-related issues.