Eldridge Special

This is a rare photo of the British businessman, Bentley designer, and race driver W. Douglas Hawkes. Not much is known about Hawkes but he did compete in both the 1922 and 1926 Indianapolis 500s. In 1926 he qualified the car seen here, the British Eldridge Special, one of the most peculiar-looking cars ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500. This photo was captured at Atlantic City speedway in May 1926.
 
Thanks to the Paul Sheedy Collection for this photo.