Louise Smith, First Lady of Racing, NASCAR Stock Car

Louise Smith had never even seen a stock car race before she drove in her first one! The story goes that Bill France showed up in South Carolina in 1946 to promote his new racing circuit and thought it would be a great publicity stunt to have a woman compete in the local race at Greenville Speedway. The track manager suggested hometown girl Louise Smith, saying "She's the craziest one we've got around here!"

Another interesting Louise story is when in 1947 she went to watch the beach race at Daytona driving her husband's new Ford coupe. But when she arrived at the race, she just had to compete, so she entered the shiney new coupe. You guessed it - she wrecked it! When she finally made it home, her husband asked, "Where's the car Louise?" And she said, "That ol' trap broke down in Augusta, and I just left it there!" Her husband then proceeded to show her the local newspaper, and there on the front page was a picture of Louise in the wrecked race car!"

Louise liked racing so well, she did it for over 10 years! Competing with the likes of Buck Baker and Lee Petty, she moved to the fledgling NASCAR circuit in 1949, winning 39 races along the way. Louise always drove her own cars, starting with this early Ford coupe. 1949 found her at the wheel of a Hudson, a Nash in 1950, and an Oldsmobile in 1951. She then drove a series of Fords again, and finally a Chevrolet in 1956. Louise passed away in 2006 at the age of 89, however she was active in racing activities  well into her 70s, attending conventions and banquets throughout the country, many time accompanied by her restored early Ford race car.

Offered is a 1/64th scale diecast replica of one of her early race cars, Mint on Mint Blister Card, which was done by Ertl in 1993. This is Ertl Item No. 3817, and is one of a Limited Edition of 10,000 pieces. This is a rare and seldom seen piece of NASCAR memrobilia.

Per new eBay rules, only PayPal payment can be accepted! Shipping can be combined on some multiple purchases. If payment for multiple purchases is made through PayPal, please wait for me to send a PayPal Invoice, so you can pay for all items in ONE payment, and save on shipping. Packing and shipping in the FREE in the United States. Will ship International at ADDITIONAL cost. International auction winners MUST pay through PayPal ONLY!