Who Was Charlie Wiggins?

Who was Charlie Wiggins? Charlie Wiggins was one of the most accomplished drivers, mechanics, innovators, and race car builders of early American motorsports. Yet for decades, much of his remarkable story was left out of the history books. In the 1920s and 1930s, racial segregation prevented Black drivers like Charlie from competing in the Indianapolis 500. Just blocks from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the city’s Indiana Avenue community became a center of Black culture, business, and opportunity. Against this backdrop, Black racers built a motorsports legacy of their own, including the Gold & Glory Sweepstakes, which became one of the premier racing events for Black drivers during the era. Wiggins became its greatest champion, winning the Gold & Glory Sweepstakes four times. He was not only a gifted driver, but also a talented mechanic and engineer who built and prepared his own race cars. At the center of his story is the Wiggins Special, the one-of-one race car Wiggins built and drove to victory. After disappearing from public view for generations, the original car was rediscovered, preserved, and unveiled to the public for the first time in more than 90 years. For Gold & Glory: A Tribute to Charlie Wiggins brings this extraordinary chapter of American motorsports history back into the public spotlight. Guest curated by one of America’s most influential automotive designers, Ed Welburn, the exhibition explores Wiggins’ life, racing career, engineering ingenuity, and enduring influence through historic imagery, artifacts, immersive storytelling, and the original Wiggins Special. Discover the story of Charlie Wiggins and experience For Gold & Glory, now on view at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.