The 1960 Parkhurst Hawes Indy Winners set (also known as the Hawes Wax Indy Racing set or Parkhurst Hawes Wax Indy) is a 50-card set produced by Parkhurst Products Limited, a Canadian company famous for its hockey cards during that era. This set is widely regarded as one of the earliest dedicated issues focused on American auto racing, specifically the Indianapolis 500. It was printed in Canada and distributed promotionally through Hawes Wax products (an automotive paste/wax brand), where cards were included inside or with the wax containers as a tie-in giveaway rather than being sold in traditional retail wax packs like many sports cards of the time.
The standard cards measure 2 7/16″ by 3 5/8″ (approximately 62 mm × 92 mm), matching the dimensions of Parkhurst’s 1960 hockey set. Card fronts feature colorful portraits of past Indy 500 winners, race action scenes, or related imagery, while the backs provide descriptive text in both English and French—a common feature for Parkhurst’s Canadian-market issues. The set includes 40 cards depicting Indy 500 winners from 1911 through 1959 and 10 action scene cards.
The 1960 Parkhurst Hawes Wax Indianapolis Motor Speedway set includes two notably quirky cards among its 50-card run. Card #28 features the Purdue University Marching Band rather than a racer or race scene, likely nodding to the band’s traditional pre-race performances at the Indy 500. While Card #50 shows a thematic “Parade Lap” on the front but surprises on the back by listing winners of a Parkhurst Zip Gum hockey contest originally promoted on 1958-59 hockey cards, creating an odd cross-promotional link between hockey gum prizes and this Canadian wax polish giveaway.
Due to its promotional nature and limited distribution tied to a specific product, the set is relatively scarce today, particularly in high grades, and complete sets are prized by racing card collectors. Values depend heavily on condition, with famous winners (like early champions) often commanding higher prices.
