1955 Ziegler Special

This is the story of two men, born 45 years apart, each completely obsessed with the automobile, and both hopelessly smitten by the very same car.

W.J. Ziegler was born in 1911 and quickly realized that his life would be immersed in cars. He was the first student of his high school to own an automobile, and he rapidly became an accomplished mechanic. He was also a savvy businessman and on December 6, 1933, the day after Prohibition was repealed, Ziegler opened a tavern with the idea that its cash flow would fund a racing team. The plan was spot on, and he became owner and chief mechanic of a highly competitive midget racing team. Ziegler’s cars were so well prepared that he was able to attract top-tier professional drivers like Frankie Beeder and Duke Nalon. His formula worked perfectly and led to more than one National Midget Championship in the 1930s.