• FIAT
  
  There was a Fiat in each of the first two 500's. In fact, a Fiat driven by Teddy Tetzlaff would finish 2nd in the 1912 500. The baller rear end LA native himself:
  
  
  There would be one more Fiat entered in 1925. No word if they also had those bad rear end sweaters.
  
  
  
  
• Chrysler
  
  The first Chrysler shows up in 1930 driven by Roland Free:
  
  
  Chrysler's would be entered in 31-33 as well. Best finishs looks to be in '33 when Paul Riganti finished 14th. Chrysler pulled out of racing due to the depression in 33, and wouldnt be back for a looooong time.
  
  
  
  
• Alfa
  
  Alfa has a long, long history at Indy. Their first entry is in '37, driven by Rex Mays:
  
  
  Alfa would make starts every year betwen 37 and 48. They would of course return in 90-91 briefly with Patrick Racing.
  
  
  
  
  
• Ferrari
  
  Ferrari has 1 career start in the 500, running the legendary Alberto Ascari in a slightly changed Ferrari 375F1 in 1952, as the 351 was no longer eligible for F1 due to rule changes. Four cars were brought over from Europe with the factory team, but only Ascari qualified. They DNFed early when Ascari spun and broke the cars left front hub.
  
  
  (suck it ferrari)
  
  
  
  
• AMC
  
  Yes, that AMC. Did you forget they were absorbed by Chrysler? AMC was approached by Champion Spark Plugs about building a 209ci Iron-block Turbo V8 for the 500. Champion had determined that a 209 high pressure turbo would be the best way to exploit the current formula. Built in Long Beach, the engines proved more powerful than anything else in the field, but the crazy weight made the car uncompetitive in the corners. Engines were entered from 76-79
  
  
  
  
  
• Maserati
  
  Saving the best for last!
  
  Of all the FCA brands, Maserati undoubtedly has the longest and most successful history. Maseratis were staples for a long time period, ironically competing side by side with future conglomerate cousin Alfa for most of their time. They would be a strong presence from 37-49, but their highlight is of course the back to back wins of Indy 500 legend Wilbur Shaw. Shaw piloted an absrudly beautiful candy apple red Maserati to wins in 1939 and 1940.
  
  
  
  Wilbur Shaw would of course go on to essentially single handedly save much of American racing (debatable) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (undebatable) when he convinced a local grocer and coffee producer from Terra Haute named Tony Hulman to purchase a dilapidated IMS after WW2 for $750k. For his efforts, Shaw was appointed President of IMS and served in the role until he died 54, presiding over the speedway's transformation into the biggest race in the world.
  

WindyMan fucked around with this message at 19:43 on Mar 8, 2017