An Ultra-Rare Duesenberg Race car
black mamba
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I've shown you a number of magnificent Duesenberg road cars. I've not, however, shown you any of their race cars. The simple reason for that is because Duesenberg racers are so rare that you very seldom see one. You can go to 10 major shows and you're lucky if you get to see even one of them. This show had 5 of them on display....that's right, 5 of them. It was probably the largest number of them to ever be assembled at any one show.
This car is a 1915 Duesenberg Indy Car. Fred and August Duesenberg got their start building race cars. Even after E.L. Cord got control of the Duesenberg company in the later 20's, it was August Duesenberg that remained in control of the race car production and operations....it was, and remained, a separate company from that which was sold to Cord.
This very car is, in fact, the second oldest Duesenberg known to exist. It was raced extensively prior to WWI. In 1916, it came in second place in the Indianapolis 500 race....driven by Wilbur D'Arlene. After the war ( racing was suspended during the war ) the car again saw extensive racing. It was found in a barn in 1941 and mechanically restored. After going through several owners since then, the current owners brought the car up to its current condition in 1994.
Like all Duesenbergs, their race cars were very innovative for the times. The engine in this car is a very unusual 300 C.I. " Walking Beam " design. Its overhead valves are activated by 2-foot long rocker arms. It produced about 100 HP at 2500 RPM.
This car is a 1915 Duesenberg Indy Car. Fred and August Duesenberg got their start building race cars. Even after E.L. Cord got control of the Duesenberg company in the later 20's, it was August Duesenberg that remained in control of the race car production and operations....it was, and remained, a separate company from that which was sold to Cord.
This very car is, in fact, the second oldest Duesenberg known to exist. It was raced extensively prior to WWI. In 1916, it came in second place in the Indianapolis 500 race....driven by Wilbur D'Arlene. After the war ( racing was suspended during the war ) the car again saw extensive racing. It was found in a barn in 1941 and mechanically restored. After going through several owners since then, the current owners brought the car up to its current condition in 1994.
Like all Duesenbergs, their race cars were very innovative for the times. The engine in this car is a very unusual 300 C.I. " Walking Beam " design. Its overhead valves are activated by 2-foot long rocker arms. It produced about 100 HP at 2500 RPM.
I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
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http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
Weird machine there :> Did it ever win any races?
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I appreciate the kind words, Jiro.
Over the years, I've accumulated quite an extensive library about cars and the people behind them. The Internet also provides a vast wealth of info. I'm also often lucky enough to get to talk to the owners or exhibitors of these wonderful machines.
Take care my friend,
Tom
http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
Hi kithylin,
That's quite an unusual engine, for sure. But it was a very successful design....it even made its way into some of the Duesenberg road cars. This car did win races. In fact, it was raced over quite a long period....5 or 6 years....which is way longer than the usual lifespan of a race car.
Tom
Hey Mary,
Like you, I wondered about that Triple A badge. It may be there as some sort of private joke or perhaps someone with ties to the Triple A company may have money invested in the car. Don't know.
Tom
Well, I'm a bit of a motorbike freak myself. I got my first one when I was 14 and over my 55 years of riding them since then I've owned 21 of the things. At one time I even raced motocross....got a few broken bones and quit that nonsense. I love bikes.
Tom
www.tangojulietphotography.com
There's another excellent book available about Rickenbacker.....it's his own autobiography, titled simply " Rickenbacker ". It was published, I think, in1967. He was a truly fascinating individual.
I share your love of the Duesenbergs. This last show I went to featured them as one of the primary exhibits. I have never seen so many Duesenbergs in one place at the same time before. And, as I've already mentioned, they had five of the race cars at this show...astounding!
Tom
PS I've really enjoyed your work with early aircraft.
Yeah, that racer was in Auburn last year (i think). It's a really neat car. I'll have to get my ACD 2010 photos online.
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It's good to hear from you, David. I'll be looking for your 2010 ACD shots.
Tom
Thank you for the compliment.
This morning I went to an EAA Fly In with some friends from my R/C club. There were a handful of Stearmans and a beautiful old Ford (model T, I think). Next weekend I'll be shooting a WWI Scale R/C Model competition at the Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, FL.
I enjoy flying things the way you enjoy the cars.
TJ
www.tangojulietphotography.com
My enthusiasm for things with motors extends to planes as well. I learned to fly in 1962.....an old J-3 Piper Cub. I've been an aviation buff as long as I can remember. I've been to Kermit Week's Fantasy of Flight many times. That is one fascinating place. I was supposed to be at the Sun 'N' Fun gathering the day the terrible storm hit but a business commitment kept me away....thank goodness. A partner of mine who was there said it was holy hell.
I've got to tell you, I really admire you guys who fly R/C planes. I've tried it a little but, to my mind, flying those things is one hell of a lot harder than flying regular planes. I hope you'll share some pictures of the meets you go to.
Take care,
Tom
I've never been a certificated pilot, but I know how, flown with friends many times. R/C is a different animal. You can't 'feel' what the aircraft is doing like you can the real thing.
Here's one of the few I processed...
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