INDIANAPOLIS -- What was once one of the most recognized and respected auto racing shops in Speedway is now almost unrecognizable after years of sitting empty.
The Boyle Racing Garage is falling apart, even missing part of its roof. But this week sparked the start of change.
The famous garage is now a historic Indiana landmark, and it’s on its way to restoration.
For racing enthusiasts, the building once stirred strong emotions.
“Right here is where all the photographs were taken of Wilbur Shaw's Maserati’s and all the Boyle cars,” John Pappas said.
Mike Boyle, commonly called Umbrella Mike, once used the garage to turn winning Indy 500 cars from the 1920s through the 1940s.
“All the winning cars came out of this race shop,” Pappas said.
Over the years, the glory has faded, and the garage was all together forgotten. For years, it has been seen as another broken Indianapolis building.
“It was on the city wrecking list,” Pappas said.
With the help of Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Automotive, it will soon be renovated for commercial and community use.
“It was an exciting part of what went on in Indianapolis and still does,” Pappas said.
Exterior renovations are estimated to cost $3,000 to $4,000.
