For many years, Jim was a successful and well known car dealer in Florida. He became linked with the Apollo missions in the 1960's and 1970's, for virtually all the astronauts bought cars from him. Jim also produced exhausts and go karts. Died after a short period of ill-health and a seizure brought on by his failing health - his death meant that all surviving starters of all Indianapolis 500 races up to 1954 had passed away. Rathmann started in hot rods in 1944, aged just sixteen, before enjoying a successful career which including with the Race of Two Worlds at Monza in 1958 and the 1960 Indianapolis 500. As well as his garage, Jim had a spell of running a tuning shop.

Biography last updated 3 Feb 2016