SOLVED: WTH # 318 - 1932 Studebaker Indy race car converted to street use for Virgil Exner

[sixtee5cuda]

What is the year and make of this car, and who is standing behind it?

[sixtee5cuda]

Up!

[AlexFrance]

Globally, it looks like a Bugatti replica from the 1970s with a strange radiator grill.

[exekiel]

American?

[sixtee5cuda]

Not a Bugatti, not a replica.  Yes, it is American

[exekiel]

Miller? 

[sixtee5cuda]

Not a Miller

[mekubb]

Well-known brand like e.g. Buick ?

[sixtee5cuda]

Well known brand is correct.  Not Buick though

[mekubb]

Studebaker ?

[sixtee5cuda]

LOCKED for mekubb for a bit.

It is a Studebaker

[mekubb]

I guess a 1928 Studebaker Indy racer, but no idea about the guy behind the car

[sixtee5cuda]

It is a slightly newer Studebaker, which did in fact race at Indy.  It was later converted for street use for this prominent man.

LOCK remains, for Mekubb's next guess

[mekubb]

Please unlock, can't find it now

[sixtee5cuda]

Unlocked.  Anyone else have an idea?

[Zerk]

Is that the 1932 Studebaker Indianapolis car that was converted to street use for Virgil Exner? And is that Mr. Exner in the picture?
If that's what it is, the straight 8 has a big chrome exhaust pipe that runs down the opposite side of the car, and WTH# 318 is the only pic I've seen that doesn't show it.

[sixtee5cuda]

And the point goes to Zerk for the complete answer.

Something I just learned:  Mr. Exner drove the roadster during the 1950's, and Andy Granatelli had #22 restored to Indy race trim in 1962.

Original Image:

[Zerk]

Thank you for another enjoyable puzzle.
There's an excerpt online which describes the performance of this car, and it seems to me that it could not have been in a very "detuned" state while driven by Mr. Exner in the '50s. It must have been a hairy experience to let that one off the chain.