Before they got into producing passenger cars, the Duesenberg brothers ( Fred and Augie ) had developed some successful race cars during the 1913 to 1916 period. They built a total of 5 cars during those years. This car is the second oldest Duesenberg known to exist. The racing in those days was usually staged on high-banked wooden tracks about 1 mile in length. The car here finished second in the 1916 Indy 500 race.
This car had a very unusual engine. It was a 300 c.i. " walking beam " motor in which the over-head valves are directly activated by 2-foot long rocker arms. That engine also saw some use in early passenger cars. It produced 100 HP at 2,50 RPM.
Racing ceased during the WW I years. In late 1921, it resumed. This car was sold later in the '20s to a circus performer who used it to perform stunts. After he died in 1933, the car was put away in a barn. It was taken out in 1941 and restored to running condition. In the late '40s, a new owner had a complete engine rebuild performed, including a new cast iron block.
Great set, Tom, you are correct, I have never seen one.
Earnest Botello wrote:
Great set, Tom, you are correct, I have never seen one.
You're not the Lone Ranger here , partner. I hadn't seen one either...but I did know about them.
I am happy to see that he had AAA coverage, Tom.
terryMc
Loc: Arizona's White Mountains
Not only have I never seen that car, I have never seen an engine that looks like that. It looks like some sort of weird steam engine.
Now that is one classy race car. Good find and great shots Tom
black mamba wrote:
Before they got into producing passenger cars, the Duesenberg brothers ( Fred and Augie ) had developed some successful race cars during the 1913 to 1916 period. They built a total of 5 cars during those years. This car is the second oldest Duesenberg known to exist. The racing in those days was usually staged on high-banked wooden tracks about 1 mile in length. The car here finished second in the 1916 Indy 500 race.
This car had a very unusual engine. It was a 300 c.i. " walking beam " motor in which the over-head valves are directly activated by 2-foot long rocker arms. That engine also saw some use in early passenger cars. It produced 100 HP at 2,50 RPM.
Racing ceased during the WW I years. In late 1921, it resumed. This car was sold later in the '20s to a circus performer who used it to perform stunts. After he died in 1933, the car was put away in a barn. It was taken out in 1941 and restored to running condition. In the late '40s, a new owner had a complete engine rebuild performed, including a new cast iron block.
Before they got into producing passenger cars, the... (
show quote)
Just looking at the car, I could never be sure if I had seen one before; however, I am certain I have never seen that engine.
Thanks for the share.
UTMike wrote:
I am happy to see that he had AAA coverage, Tom.
AAA is the only way to fly in my book, Mike. They covered over $150,000 when a hurricane destroyed one of my garages and two cars. They never squealed a bit. In fact, the local agent I use was a star of the show. She jumped in and took control of many of the little details that make things go smoothly.
terryMc wrote:
Not only have I never seen that car, I have never seen an engine that looks like that. It looks like some sort of weird steam engine.
I'm with you, Terry. I, too, have never seen an engine like that. I couldn't get a shot of the other side of it.
KillroyII wrote:
Just looking at the car, I could never be sure if I had seen one before; however, I am certain I have never seen that engine.
Thanks for the share.
I wish I could have gotten a shot of the other side of that engine. That was the first time I've seen anything like it.
Thanks for the visit and for commenting.
Tom
That's quite a mahine Tom!
Don
Looks like a 4 cylinder with 2 spark plugs per cylinder..........
Andy
I'm still trying to envision 2ft long rocker arms. Cool car and photos
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