History Auto racing 1894-1942

Though not a car race.....just a thought about the Milwaukee Mile.
The Milwaukee Mile is the oldest operating motor speedway in the world, hosting at least one auto race every year since 1903 (except during U.S. involvement in World War II). It operated as a dirt track until it was paved in 1954.

 

My interest has recently been drawn back... back... back in time, to the World War I era of motor racing. My attraction to roadsters with skinny tires and a high stance makes more sense to me now.

 

This is happening to a lot of us. It is strange when you think you are moving in a direction on your own and find that others are heading the same direction. It is like picking a "different" name for your kid and the next year it is the most popular name in the country.

 

Interesting. My mate restored the 1914 GP car on/off for the mother plant in Rüsselsheim. Let's say from 2000 til 2010, and still gets it in for service - if he has space.

 

Carmen Bantley 1912 Model T Ford No. 10. Taken in 1924. Erie, Pa.

 

early gasser?...

 

What the heck?

 

Funny car?

Something about that car is not quite what it seems. The front brakes/drums/axle is still attached to the chassis. What gives?

Perhaps its an early tow dolly.

 

Note all lights,,,

 

^^^^^^ Looks like some model of Chrysler, showing some type of chassis feature.

 

A dealer display?

 

Or,,Hudson,Essex?

 

Now that I see the dealership signs you may be on to something. Merry Christmas!

Bob

 

I have one of those Essex front axles with wood spoked hubs, if anybody needs one.

 

Wish you wern't so far away.

 

I found these at a racers reunion/swap meet yesterday at Peotone, IL.

Joe Russo at Crossbay, NJ, 1934


No ID for driver


No ID for driver, photo stamped 4-28-'40


Bob Swanson, 1939


No ID for driver, looks like HOWE on side of car. The damascening gives the body a unique look, can anyone ID the car?


Later photo of the restored 1935 Gilmore Special

 

Number 5 is one of the Howe Hisso cars, will have to check my notes in a bit, but possibly the car that Clarence Delagrange bought from Howe in 1939, which is still in the Delagrange family.

Edit: Yes, this is the car Clarence later bought. It was #5, then #35, then #100, which it still wears.

 

Here's Frank Weirer in the car, likely in late 1939. That's Clarence at center in the pith helmet.

 

I wonder if that's an asbestos wrapped exhaust pipe?

 

Probably, whats a little more danger thrown in?

 

I think that's actually Billy Winn at the wheel, at Langhorne in 1934 - I don't think this car ever ran at Crossbay, certainly not with Russo (who drove it only this once, taking over from Winn that day). The man with the white belt standing next to the car is owner Lou Moore.

 

#19 is a nice car, should have some history, but unfortunately there's not quite enough meat on that bone for me to identify. Should be late thirties/early forties, maybe Thompson Speedway in Connecticutt?

#64 face looks somewhat familiar, but can't quite nail it down. If the date is correct, the photo should be from the final race at the New York Coliseum that year - pares it down to about two score names...

#6 is the Tupman Special, the former Duffy/Offenhauser (the third ever 'mighty midget') - usual driver was Fred Friday, and even if the photo is not very clear, I think that's rather him than Bob Swanson.