7Fifteen Motorworks ‘Indy Special’
The Evolution of the Troy Roadster from Classic Custom to Modern Marvel
In the annals of automotive lore, the narrative of the Troy Roadster is a saga that weaves through the very fabric of the post-war automotive experience; tracing a lineage from the halcyon days of the 1940s to the technological zenith that is the 7fifteen Motorworks ‘Indy Special’ of today. It is a tale that captures the zeal for mechanized speed and aesthetic allure. And it all starts with Walter J. Troy, born in the year of our Lord 1914, and whose craftsmanship would leave an indelible watermark upon the custom car panorama of the American hot rod scene.
In those formative years following World War II, the American automotive vista was burgeoning with inspirations drawn from across the Pond and fueled by the pioneering spirits of returning servicemen. This fertile ground birthed a rich tapestry of automotive culture, a milieu in which Troy was destined to etch his legacy. Wally, as he was affectionately known, having steeped his early years in the automotive landscape of Detroit, honed his prowess in the arcane arts of mechanics and bodywork. He ventured into the realm of automotive customization, establishing his sanctum, Wally’s Garage, in Springfield, Illinois. His alchemy gave birth to the Troy Special among other bespoke creations, capturing the imagination of the motoring cognoscenti of the 1950s.
The apotheosis of Troy's vision was realized circa 1958 with the conception of the Troy Roadster. A vehicular chimera, amalgamating the essence of sports car fervor in the United States. This was Troy's magnum opus. Forged on a tubular steel chassis, its heart a Chevrolet engine, the Roadster was a manifestation of Troy's virtuosity and avant-garde vision. Its completion in 1959 heralded its ascension to legend, immortalized in the annals of Hot Rod Magazine and the pantheon of comic strips of the era.
Yet, the Roadster's tale is far from over. Through a succession of custodians, including the meticulous stewardship of collector Bill Hebal, the Roadster found a new chapter under the aegis of Robert Kendall and the auspices of 7Fifteen Motorworks. Here, Troy’s creation was envisaged anew, a phoenix rising, embodying the synthesis of Troy's original ethos with the pinnacle of modern engineering and technology. Under the guidance of Joe Scarbo and Scarbo Performance, a contemporary iteration was forged, featuring a spaceframe chassis, a state-of-the-art suspension system, and the heart of a GM LS3 V8 engine. This rebirth of the ‘Indy Special’ was not merely an homage, but a testament to the immutable allure of innovation melded with timeless design.
In its modern guise, the car stands as a beacon of the perpetual charm of bridging historical craftsmanship with the forefront of automotive technology. Embarking on a limited production journey, it continues to epitomize the fusion of classic aesthetics with the dynamism of contemporary performance. Alas, at least for those with around $200k burning a hole in their pockets. The rest of us can merely marvel at the aesthetics and simplicity and grace of modern touches to a bygone era.

