as refined a race car as anything from European manufacturers, Max Balchowsky's Ol' Yaller garage built cars were ugly, but splendid, race cars

running ahead of a Porsche Spyder

Chasing down a Ferrari Testarossa

How did the racing elite not realize they ought to have paid Max to build them a race car, instead of sending their money to Italy or Germany?

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/rarely-seen-vintage-photos-southern-california-road-racing-1950s-1960s/