Better known as ''Skinny'' Clemons, Fred was yet another mechanic and car-builder. Originally a shop welder and parts chaser for the Chevrolet brothers and their Frontenac concern, he also went on to build race-cars. These included both sprint and board track racers. He also built and designed his own 8 and 16 valve overhead cam engines. Later ran a restaurant in Indianapolis. As a young car tester, he also appeared at Indianapolis in 1911 as relief to Frank Fox. His cars appeared at the Speedway and were driven by the likes of Lou Schneider and Wilbur Shaw, Rick Decker and Billy Winn. He died at the family home of a heart-attack, aged just 55. At that time, he was running the restaurant which was set around the theme of a Grandmother's Kitchen, but he still built cars in his workshop. Fred's father and grandfather both bred and trained race horses, but Clemons chose a different horsepower instead.

Biography last updated 30 Jul 2017