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1965 Donruss Spec Sheet Racing is a vintage card set featuring hot rods, boats, drag racing, superstock, and IndyCars.
The Breakdown
While racing cards date back to the early pre-war tobacco card days, the number of vintage racing cards is much more limited compared to other sports.
However, in 1965 Donruss released a card set featuring a variety of motor sports. If you like big loud engines, this is a product for you.
The 66 card set was produced in conjunction with Hot Rod Magazine and was distributed in wax packs. While Donruss had been creating a variety of entertainment themed card sets in the 1960s, this auto racing set is the first sports themed product they released.
1965 Donruss Spec Sheet Racing Card 57 features a photo from the 1964 Indy 500
The back of the cards contain the card number, and an advertisement to buy drag racing photos and instructions on how to subscribe to Hot Rod magazine. It also indicates this is Series 1 of the product. However, it seems Series 2 never made it to release. Some card backs have a paragraph describing the car pictured on the front. Others have a more educational purpose and include the definition of a handful of hot rod racing terms. They call it a “Hot Rod Dictionary”
Complete sets can be found on eBay for about $75-85 dollars. Singles can typically be found from about .50 to $2 each.
Bobby Unser Rookie Card
This set also features the rookie card of Motor Sports Hall of Famer Bobby Unser. While Unser is probably most known for his success in the IndyCar Series, cards #49 and #53 depict Unser’s success at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb race. He went on to win that race 10 times in his career. The Bobby Unser rookie card can be found on eBay for $5-10.
Bobby Unser’s rookie cards are found on card #49 and #53 of the 1965 Donruss Spec Sheet Racing set.
1965 Donruss Spec Sheet Checklist
Shop eBay for any of the cards below.
34 Instant Roadster
35 1923 Dodge
36 L. A. Roadsters
37 137 Quarter
38 A Real Winner
39 Cruising Model A
40 Mark 27
41 Owners Pride
42 Roman Red
43 Flamed Roadster
44 Hot Rod Dictionary
45 Detailed Custom
46 306 Streamliner
47 The Wedge
48 The Oakland National
49 Hill Climb Champ
50 Off the Line
51 Hot Rod Dictionary
52 Record Holder
53 Pikes Peak Champ
54 National Championship
55 Hot Rod Dictionary
56 "Boss"
57 "Indianapolis 500"
58 Hot Rod Dictionary
59 Nitro Loaded
60 Off the Line
61 Starlighter
62 National Drags
63 35 Custom
64 Going Cart
65 Hot Rod Dictionary
66 Hot Rod Dictionary
1 Bonneville Streamliner
2 Ready To Go
3 Blown Ford Engine
4 "Triple Threat 'Vette"
5 1925 "T" Roadster
6 Show Winner
7 Ageless Street Rod
8 315 Horsepower
9 700 Horsepower
10 Hot Rod Fever
11 East African Safari
12 Beauty and Comfort
13 Record Runs
14 Pair Duces
15 Six Pots
16 64 Buick Mill
17 What a Machine
18 Dodge Super Stock
19 Kurtis Roadster
20 World's Fastest Class A Coupe
21 Super Super Stock
22 Hot Rod Dictionary
23 Well Dressed Mill
24 Custom Pick-Up
25 Bob-Tailed "T"
26 Fiery Chevy
27 Offy Engine
28 334 Cubic Inches
29 Points Champion
30 Abandoned
31 Salt Flats
32 Experimental Roadster
33 Modified Sport Car
1965 Donruss Spec Sheet #25
1965 Donruss Spec Sheet #58