The Jalopy Journal

**Jive-Bomber** · 07-27-2010, 09:22 AM

Another gem from the Mullin Museum Collection was this 1927 Earl Cooper and Harry Miller Special, Chassis #2. The car was originally built and campaigned by Cooper (one year before his retirement) & Miller under the sponsorship of the Buick Motorcar ...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

Weaverville Studios · 07-27-2010, 03:00 PM

Thanks for sharing this. I can't seem to ever recall seeing a Miller with a Buick-like grille shell before. Since it was apart for awhile, I suppose that would stand to reason. I have always been surprised that during the 1920's and 30's that Buick and Packard didn't get into a patent fight about their grille shell similarities. Either way, the Mullin Museum is on my must-see list if I ever get back out that way. Thanks again-Mark

**Ebbsspeed** · 07-27-2010, 03:58 PM

Were there a lot of other high performance cars of the era that were front wheel drive? I know the Cord was FWD, and some Cord models were supercharged. Just wondering how pervasive FWD was back then.

I'm not going to say anything about my wifes 2006 Dodge Caravan being traditional, but it is a front wheel drive machine.....

autobilly · 07-27-2010, 04:20 PM

In this case form follows function and the result is pure beauty.
The Miller 91 (pictured at Indy below) has always been one of my very favorites.

**GARY?** · 07-27-2010, 08:11 PM

Yeah, what if FWD still looked that good?

Nice post Jive.

hkestes · 07-28-2010, 02:39 AM

This Miller was at last year's Manifolds on Main show.

ehdubya · 07-28-2010, 06:17 AM

It looks like there were 4 or 5 of these built and according to Michael Ferner in the prewar racing thread only one (possibly Cooper's who didn't qualify) was a rebuilt derby Miller made to look like the others.
Also of note Harry Hartz relieved Kreis to drive laps 101-123 and the best finishing Cooper of McDonogh (#14 pictured) was driven from lap 113 to 200 and 6th by DePaolo.
This is said to be the Kreis car at the 27 Italian GP where he relieved Cooper to finish 3rd...

**treb11** · 07-28-2010, 08:46 AM

gawd those are gorgeous

**Jimmy B** · 09-12-2010, 09:19 PM

That car isn't a Miller, it is a copy built by Earl Cooper with initial backing of Buick (hence the grille shape, they backed out before it was finished). Cooper based his cars on a Miller he owned.

SANY2208 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr

SANY2199 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr

Car was later rebuilt in the 40s and raced at Indy with an Offy.

Later again it was rebuilt for the street. This is the body.

DSCF1359 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr

DSCF1360 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr

07-27-2010, 03:58 PM	#3
Ebbsspeed Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Shawnee, KS 66218 Posts: 2,665	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car Were there a lot of other high performance cars of the era that were front wheel drive? I know the Cord was FWD, and some Cord models were supercharged. Just wondering how pervasive FWD was back then. I'm not going to say anything about my wifes 2006 Dodge Caravan being traditional, but it is a front wheel drive machine.....

07-27-2010, 04:20 PM	#4
autobilly Old School HAMBer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tweed, Australia Posts: 2,526	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car In this case form follows function and the result is pure beauty. The Miller 91 (pictured at Indy below) has always been one of my very favorites. __________________ RETRO Spec. (tive) -Getting to where you're going by knowing where you've come from.

07-27-2010, 08:11 PM	#5
GARY? Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,681	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car Yeah, what if FWD still looked that good? Nice post Jive.

07-28-2010, 02:39 AM	#6
hkestes Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 435	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car This Miller was at last year's Manifolds on Main show. Attached Thumbnails

07-28-2010, 06:17 AM	#7
ehdubya Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: mainland NZ Posts: 2,287	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car It looks like there were 4 or 5 of these built and according to Michael Ferner in the prewar racing thread only one (possibly Cooper's who didn't qualify) was a rebuilt derby Miller made to look like the others. Also of note Harry Hartz relieved Kreis to drive laps 101-123 and the best finishing Cooper of McDonogh (#14 pictured) was driven from lap 113 to 200 and 6th by DePaolo. This is said to be the Kreis car at the 27 Italian GP where he relieved Cooper to finish 3rd... Attached Thumbnails __________________ "the whiff of a beaver lovers noise and burned pistons" - translate.google.com

07-27-2010, 09:22 AM	#1
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,421	1927 Miller Indy Car Another gem from the Mullin Museum Collection was this 1927 Earl Cooper and Harry Miller Special, Chassis #2. The car was originally built and campaigned by Cooper (one year before his retirement) & Miller under the sponsorship of the Buick Motorcar ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

07-27-2010, 03:00 PM	#2
Weaverville Studios Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Auburn Hills, MI USA Posts: 1,107	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car Thanks for sharing this. I can't seem to ever recall seeing a Miller with a Buick-like grille shell before. Since it was apart for awhile, I suppose that would stand to reason. I have always been surprised that during the 1920's and 30's that Buick and Packard didn't get into a patent fight about their grille shell similarities. Either way, the Mullin Museum is on my must-see list if I ever get back out that way. Thanks again-Mark __________________ Weaverville Studios http://www.weavervillestudios.com/ https://www.wepay.com/shop/weavervillestudios

07-28-2010, 08:46 AM	#8
treb11 Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,768	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car gawd those are gorgeous __________________ Only the good die young. If you want to live a long time, be an asshole. " I am attempting madam, to construct a Nemonic memory circuit using stone knives and bearskins "

09-12-2010, 09:19 PM	#9
Jimmy B Alliance Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tweed Valley, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,091	Re: 1927 Miller Indy Car That car isn't a Miller, it is a copy built by Earl Cooper with initial backing of Buick (hence the grille shape, they backed out before it was finished). Cooper based his cars on a Miller he owned. SANY2208 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr SANY2199 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr Car was later rebuilt in the 40s and raced at Indy with an Offy. Later again it was rebuilt for the street. This is the body. DSCF1359 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr DSCF1360 by Jimmy Bs 1925 Chev, on Flickr __________________ I don't paint by numbers. Hot Rods of the Dry Lakes Era jimmy

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode