History Auto racing 1894-1942

This machine must have had a significant influence on the design of the Buick Bug.

 

1916, Packard patented a light racing body that could be quickly removed -

 

Lee that is a cool picture of the Packard 299 body. I had to dig out my file on this to make sure it was the exact same number as I have not looked at it in years. If you look closely at the first body on the car you can see the seam running down the length of the body. There was a hole in the rear of the tail where you could put a socket in the hole and with a twist remove the body. They raved about this when the car was first built in 1916. They ended up patenting a number of features of the car including the engine itself and various parts of the engine, such as the generator and cam covers and the intake etc. Here is one picture where you can see the seam (De Palma joking with Milton) . Edward Belden was a Detroit inventor who did work for a number of clients including Willys Overland. I am not sure how he became associated with Packard in regards to the body.

 

It's strange that they patented a race car body. I can't imagine any other racers lining up to pay royalty fees for using the idea.

 

Lee I am not sure Belden was patenting the race car body per se but rather the "art" of the way in which a body could be removed so easily. Engineers then and now protect their "art" just as much (if not moreso) than let's say some of the photographers that protect their photos, and one could use the same logic for many others work.

They also patented the engine and its various parts when in reality they only built 2 engines and were outdated by the time the patents were granted. If I had to guess patenting their work was probably pretty second nature. I am glad they did as it helps really paint a picture of how the car, the body and engine was built.

I do not have a picture with the body removed although I wish I did. Other than the fuel tank I am not sure how much they were hiding in the tail.

 

I recently obtained this excellent photo circa 1909. The two outside cars are Simplex the leader is a Knox. Any thoughts as to which track the photo was taken. I suspect East coast, but not sure.

 

Anybody know anything about the Keeton? Looks like it's based on a Renault.

 

My elderly friend (Bud Barrett) back in Dedham MA. put together this "Readville Story" about 20 years ago but was not able to get it published - he finally had a few dozen made and so there are very few copies; he gave me one and another is held by Joe Freeman of Racemaker Press in Boston. I believe Joe may have a rewrite planned at some point in the future. Your photo comes probably from a 2003 article in Trackside Magazine using excerpts of Bud's "Story" without his knowledge or permission. https://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/16524999639/in/album-72157632565836705/
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8604/16524952369_e769e61f98_b.jpg

 

The Delage Torpille today part of the George Wingard collection. I saw it at Hershey about ten years ago, the whole body in engine turned. Bob

 

Very interesting! No lack of permission issues here: my photo is an original likely from the same negative, as Mr. Barrett's photo. Mine came from a friend who had it for many decades. Also Peter Helk in his hand, identified the cars as Simplex and Knox in the front row on the back of the photo. Since Peter died in 1988, the photo cannot be a 2003 copy. I suspected the photo was an East coast track. Thank you for the Readville lead.

 

Glad to help - will post some more of The Readville Story when I get a chance.

 

1923 GP de Tours .Guyot driving the Roland-Pilain.

 

I tried to buy a Ballot for my wife to drive and got very close. Always thought it would be good to have my wife say to me. "Do we race the Ballot today or the Miller?"....... I will see trying.

I remember being introduced once as "He's with this car" The lady asked "Is he the guard?" She was told "No Madam. He is the Owner" She turned and ran away embarrassed. Shit it didn't bother me.

 

It was not a "World's Fair," but rather the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco that opened to the public on 20 February 1915. It was one of several such events held in conjunction with the opening of the Panama Canal.

 

Sad to say, but Rolland-Pilain never won a GP.

 

Thanks Don. This is the information that came with the image.Corrected the post. better now?

 

Thanks for the correction Michael. Again ,it was the information that came with the image. Corrected the post.better now? Bob

 

Nice shot of Howe in the Delage 15-s8 #4 at the 3rd Avusrennen, 21-05-33. 3rd in 1500 class behind 2 T51As. Good view of the brake balance/compensator mechanism. Ramponi, of course, changed to hydraulic and 16" brakes for Seaman.

 

I think it would be safe to say this was the same Bugatti Ernst Friedrich drove at INDY in 1914. Bob

 

Actually no, it wasn't. Friedrich's had a prop shaft, while the Marquis Bugatti was chain-driven.

 

Thanks! I need to check my Bugatti books all this time I've thought the INDY car was a sister car to the Type 18 Black Bess Garosse type. Bob

 

Rockingham??

 

From left to right; defensive, dejected and consoling.
From Michael Ferner's notes: " 2810 1928 FD Miller Boyle - 10-12-28 L to R Team Leader Cliff Woodbury, Fred Comer and probably Dave Evans - (trademark bow tie). At Rockingham - Salem NH where Fred soon had his fatal accident on the deteriorating boards."
and,
"
Comer (standing in the middle in front of Cliff's entry) may look a bit somber and Cliff - hand on hip - a bit defensive, ( sometimes teammate Dave Evans on the right offers him a consoling hand on the shoulder) he and Boyle Team Leader Cliff both driving new 1928 FD Millers had an agreement that whichever car was fastest would go to Cliff. Comer's was a bit faster and so they switched cars. (From notes by Mark Dees)
Michael Ferner's comment:
"There were minor differences in the cars, especially in the intercooler design."
Cliff went on to win the shortened race in Fred's #25 while Fred fatally crashed in Cliff's #10."

 

I was walking through the paddock at Shelsley Walsh when I came across a strange car.
The old guy said "There's always something new here."
He was laughing.
"Go and look at that rev counter." He was laughing a lot.


The car was e ntered as a Mitchell Board Racer, 1917. 4000cc capacity and has appeared at several VSCC events in the UK this year, entered by Ian Seymour-Smith. Can anyone tell me more about it?

 

The rear suspension on that car really interests me. Here is a similar setup. Can anyone show more detail of how it works? Is there simply a pivot at the center of the spring?

 

Chiron behind the wheel of a Scuderia Ferrari Alfa at Monaco in 1934.