Owen "Gene" Gibson sent me this added info on the Townsend cars:

"Frank says that the #27 car chassis was fabricated in 1957--58.  It was 
based around a Kurtis Kraft 500C design (there were several Indy 
builders/drivers in Tucson) modified to use 4-link front and rear axle. 
The front axle was taken from the dual-wheel assembly of a B-29 wheel 
strut.   The rear axle was mounted with rubber landing gear donuts. 

This axle pair was quickly upgraded to 55 Chevy IFS and a coil-over 
shock assembly. The frame tubing was from scaffoldings used to work on 
B-29 engines.  The belts, gauges, switches, and seat were from aircraft 
salvage.

Frank was considered the best gas welder/lead body guy in Tucson at the
time (I heard this several times from other racers and mechanics).  In fact 
he made all his money by rebuilding new car wrecks and selling them. 
This was how he acquired new car parts for the race car. 

Frank said that Larry Randell and Jack Voevodsky were the prime helpers 
on that early car.  The night they were finishing the #27, Frank finished the 
body and went home to get a little sleep at 2:00 AM the day of the race. 
He returned at 8:00 AM or so and Larry was sound asleep in the seat still 
holding the tools and wire. 

Jack died unexpectedly and that was when PeteVoevodsky got involved with 
the driving as they had the Corvette and the Typhoon.  Frank also said the 
early Phoenix hill/canyon course was fun in the #27 as the floor pan only 
covered the tub and he could see the pan flex and buckle as he traversed 
the course.

Work is progressing  on the Typhoon body.  It's now reglassed inside and 
the finish work on the outside is almost done.

The engine, transmission, positraction rear end, and Buick brake drums are 
in hand.  Frame refurbishment has started.

Approximate Specifications on the #27 car as Frank remembers: