History Auto racing 1894-1942

^^^ GREAT photo! Have you sent that over to David at The Old Motor?

 

I am probably going to end up on the wrong end of the Mercedes/Benz lineage, but 31 and 42 look like 1908 Benz race cars. #3 feels far more Mercedes. That is a wonderful San Diego shot! Thanks for the amazing scan.

 

The image is probably taken in 1915 for the Pan Pacific expo race.

 

Late to the party here. Jim, everything you wrote here is spot on with the exception of the location of the Exposition, which was in Balboa Park and not on Point Loma. Hometown boy Billy Carlson finished 2nd with local mechanician Paul Franzen riding alongside.

 

Having lived in San Diego County for 16 years and spending a bit of time in Balboa Park I kind of questioned the whole thing with opening in Point Loma, but that is what I read in the articles of the day. I figured that I better stay on script or else someone would point out how in some small way it did start in Point Loma. Walking through Balboa Park it does have the Exposition type flair for sure.-Jim

 

Wonderful photo.

I'd give Dave at The Old Motor a holler if you haven't already done so.

 

No I haven't contacted Dave with this photo. Feel free to do so.

 

if anyone really cares, the location of 3rd and F is now the east enterance to Horton Plaza, a huge shopping mall located in the heart of the gas lamp. Chances are that the building was still there in 80's when the mall went in.

I wish i could find more photos of the San Diego race from 1915, when I am home some day I will borrow a go pro or something and record the track, which is still there...with only a few stop lights in the way.

 

Great photo, I have seen another version of this before. I would date it roughly around 1908-10 and left to right a Mercedes and two Benz racers all dating to about the same years.

 

Check out this neat photo of a highly modified T-Head Mercer racing car. We are hoping that someone may know who built and raced this car.

Here are the following modifications to it; The car was an individual effort and not likely to be one of the original Mercer racing team cars. It has had quite a few modifications that list as follows; The engine and gear box have been moved back in the frame. It has been converted to LHD and inside controls. What appear to be modified Mercer seats have been set back about 16″ along with along with a different gas tank and radiator. The cowl and hood are custom made. It has also been lowered as the arch has been taken out of the springs and a longer rear shackle is visible.

Stop by The Old Motor where you can see three enlargements of the details.

 

It also looks like the right arm of the man in the fore is shorter than his left.

 

Bob....He is like all of us......a bit wacky

 

Remus on the left, Romulus on the right.Matching transporter.

 

The Swanson's...

 

BTW, the Swanson family photo is dated 9/10/1938.

Does anyone know when Bob Swanson married Lillian Triplett? I've read they married in 1935, but do not know the exact date. Did she ever marry again?

How about when Lillian married Ernie Triplett?

Is she still "with us" or did she pass away?.. she'd be around 100 so I assume not.

Also, I've read Doreen (Ernie's daughter) was 4 yrs old when Ernie died, and also read that she was 10 yrs old when Bob died... anybody know when she was born?... 1930?... 1929? Is she still "with us", or did she pass away?

 

The car on the left is not a 1902 Mercedes. Mercedes had a tubular front axle until 1903.
My former car also has a much shorter hood and would have had a real problem running a sprocket of that size. Bill Evans

 

You are right...since you mentioned a '03 Mercedes, just happened to find one:

 

Gilmore, Bob Swanson had a daughter who lived in the LA area, I recieved a few letters from her years ago. She had two scrapbooks with photos of her dads racing career that were lent to someone and never returned. If I remember correctly he had a brother that worked on the cars. Bob

 

Anyone ever meet Michael Rosen from San Francisco? Now if you go to look him up you find the other Mr. Rosen that is a photographer but not the kind you want your children to see. I have many new leads but have not been able to find out what happened to him. He was researching Christie in the 1970's and 1980's

 

Lee Stohr is the best person to ask. Lee is a HAMBer and always contributes something when the subject of Christie comes up.

 

Funny you should mention Christie, found this info in the July 1932 issue of Popular Mechanics. Looks like a HISSO V8 in the flying tank. Bob

 

Millers at Milwaukee Mile - Harry Miller Club
Participant Info and times to be open to public

Just got an update from the event coordinator, Lenore Heinzelmann.

In the event the info doesn't find its way onto the Club website
http://www.harrymillerclub.com/

"56 cars registered at this time"
"a number of cars from the Vanderbilt Cup era
including a 1906 Fiat from the Indy Museum as well as The Blitzen Benz, owned by Bill Evans"

Thursday July 5 Cars/Trailers may be parked at track 12-4 PM
Followed by reception cook-out at Crown Plaza Hotel

Friday July 6
8:30 cars on track for group photo to be taken at 9AM
9:00 Open to public
9:40 Drivers Meeting
10:00-4PM Cars run on the mile (usually alternating slow and fast sessions throughout the day)
First laps to be taken by featured cars of the Vanderbilt Cup era.
6PM Cocktails at Hotel-Silent Auction-then
7PM Dinner

Saturday July 7
7AM Track opens to entrants
8:00 Event Open to Public
10-4PM Cars run on track

I'll be leaving Indio in a few days and will try and get as many photos as possible to share.
This should be one really unpleasant tow through the heat and forest fires but well worth it in the end.

carl schulz
indio, ca

 

I believe Michael Rosen passed away a few years ago. What do you want to know about Walter Christie? I've been researching him for 15 years or so.

 

I am looking forward to going to the Miller Meet this year. It will be my
first visit.
I have always been interested in race cars of all periods. Years ago I got
interested in Walter Christie's front wheel drive race cars and I've become
pretty knowledgable about Christie's. The Christie that Barney Oldfield
used from 1912-1916 always fascinated me. Exploring the possibility of
re-creating a Christie got me involved in some new computerized casting
methods. That has led to my helping people with the need for one-off
castings where no patterns exist.
Anyway, I hope to meet some of you in Milwaukee.
Lee Stohr
Staunton, VA

 

Subject video starts out on thread but jumps into OT as time goes by, but I'm SURE you guys will like it. Gary

http://vimeo.com/43233380

 

I had a great time at the 2012 Miller Meet. Met Gordon White & Tom Saal. Joe Freeman had copies of Joel Finns new book on the 1912 Milwaukee Vanderbilt Cup and GP races. Met Greg Cone and Eric Anderson who brought cars from Virginia. Greg has a 1912 Stoddard Dayton Speed car and Eric has a 1932 Chrysler Riverside Special. Greg kindly offered me a ride in the Stoddard. It was pretty special to go around the famous old Milwaukee track in a 100year old car! Possibly the most amazing thing I saw was Bill Evans starting the Blitzen Benz on the spark. The two things that make this event special are seeing old Millers and Offy roadsters running close up. And everyone is friendly, giving each other rides all day long. No helmets - just jump in and turn your cap around backwards and go!

 

Please, please, more photographs from this stunning event, please.

 

more pictures!!!! please

 

Gents ,do a search for Millers at Milwaukee or some such.There are a couple of threads already with pics.

Banjeaux Bob

 

I've been setting up a new computer. I'll try and put up some photos tonight.