Phil Walters 1952

Phil Walters 1952 After speaking with Phil Walters about the Cunningham C4-RK, I decided to do a painting of him coming down the steep Big Bend on the old Watkins Glen course. The number 1 indicates that this driver had won the previous year’s Grand Prix. I was thinking about the fact that this section would have been particularly difficult for him. Here, Phil would have needed to use considerable engine braking, resulting in high revs from the Chrysler V-8. Heat radiated quickly from the firewall into the cabin as the car slowed. Cockpit ventilation was vastly inadequate, even though two large scoops had been adopted for this purpose. In addition, the windshield could be tilted to let in air. To modulate this, a short “bug screen” had to be included. The side window is also open. The result of all this made for a unique appearance even if it was aerodynamically dirty. Phil was nearly roasted, in spite of all the above cooling efforts! The 1952 Watkins Glen Grand Prix was cut short and