I headed out this morning to the Milwaukee Mile for another edition of the Harry A. Miller Club’s annual get together. There were some cars that I hadn’t seen before which was a plus but on the other hand a couple exhibitors that I always look forward to seeing were not in attendance this year. There were a few “late model” Indy cars again and I don’t take pictures of those as they don’t fit the theme here. Let’s start with Indianapolis Roadsters- Built by A.J.Watson this car was owned by Lindsey Hopkins Jr., an heir to the Coca-Cola fortune. Jim Rathmann drove and cam grinder/mechanical wizard Bruce Crower was one of the mechanics. Detail wise the restoration was impeccable, it still has Halibrand lobster brake calipers unlike some other Indy roadsters that run Wilwoods. The upholstery job is enhanced from the cars track days but hey, it’s driven on the track so why not enjoy yourself in comfort. Halibrand also made single and dual spot calipers in the ‘50’s, here’s a picture of single spot calipers to compare to the much larger lobster. Here’s the Filter Queen Special, which was driven by Roger Ward. Very well done but it has to be a tribute car, it was raced with an Offenhauser but this one had a six cylinder. I didn’t get a chance to see it with the hood open. View attachment 6762467 The builder added a couple of his own touches, Standard Oil Red Crown valve stem caps and hair pins instead of safety wire to retain the knock offs. Disregard these last two photos, I should have edited them out.
WOW....thank you so very much. I made it last year but just barely. I just had knee injections today and they will probably not be working well enough to do justice to trying to get there tomorrow. Please....please share whatever pictures you can get. I am interested in your comment of maybe some of the usual cars missing. Curious who that might be. Also....besides the now newer stuff being allowed....which are still beautiful and make great noise.....were there other notable entries that you had not seen before ? Thanks again
Next up are some Miller and early Offenhauser cars. First is an absolute perfect recreation of Harry A. Miller’s Golden Submarine. The Miller power plant was based on a Peugeot four cylinder that Harry rebuilt for racer Bob Burman. The Armacost car was a Miller front wheel drive, the design work for the trans-axle was done by Harry and his expert draftsman/engineer Leo Goossen. I’m always struck by the m*** of Harry’s suspension in this era, not just two, but four eight leaf quarter ellipticals on the front that look like they could work on a large truck. I guess that was essential at that time. Here’s a couple more pictures of quarter ellipticals both front and rear, these have some cast aluminum fairings to dress them up. I’ve seen Miller cars before with that weight(?) by the spring eyes, I ***ume that must be a damper of some sort. Here’s some random things seen today- Hurst Special, I think just a tribute, it runs a SBC. Miller made speed equipment for the average guy too, here’s his High- Speed head on a banger. Here’s the car that runs it, largely home built and typical of what many ran BITD. Early Offenhauser- Nice V8-60- Houdaille’s and friction shocks. If some is good, more is better and too much is just right… The first picture is from 2023, today’s picture shows how the radiator has been detailed on the Hupp race car that a gentleman recreated using the original engine and a few other components. Even the ones that look like Detroit Ridler or Grand National Roadster Show AMBR cars are out in the track, they aren’t just show pieces. And once again, some photos I didn’t want to include
There was one more car that I saw at the show, a car built for the street, a Kurtis 500. Honestly I was not sure if it was legit or maybe a masterfully crafted clone. The suspension, proportions, and detail were spot on. Headers coming through the hood appeared to be for a flathead Ford and honestly the darn thing left me scratching my head. The interior tin behind the seats looked like it was recently hammered out, so replaced or maybe fabbed along with most of the car. That last photo shows some Offy? cast br*** reproduction pieces he bought at the show. After I put this post together I noticed the Kurtis Kraft serial number tag riveted to the dash. I guess it’s a real one. What a gem to own!
Did Dana Me*** have his usual number of cars there or was his personal car count up or down? Always had a beautiful array of stuff from different eras. Thanks again
Will tightening up those nuts at the lower strut of the Kurtis`front axle improve roadholding - I think so!
I was there from about 10-1:30, we should have connected. I did meet @milwscruffy there, we had a nice conversation. I don’t want to hijack your thread but I thought the readers might enjoy seeing this home build scale size Indy racer, the workmanship was incredible. ( Crosley drivetrain, front wheel drive, missing the half shafts at the present time)
Thanks for the pictures, that has always been a great show/event. I have not been there for years now. The quality of the patterns, castings, machining and car construction was outstanding back in their day.
Man, thank you for the coverage. I've always thought those Watson roadsters were the most beautiful race cars ever created, of any genre of racing! Great pics!
Had a nice but short day there as this weekend is packed for me. Had a good chat with @kabinenroller and I joined the Harry A. Miller Club this year also. The members had a nice little car show of their "driver's" and a couple HAMB friendly ones also. All in all a nice day there.
Well that confirms it, I’m officially a fool. I never wandered over to check that car out, it was off to the side where the trailers, motor homes and car hauling rigs were parked. I imagine the owner isn’t a member of the Miller club but it’s design and workmanship deserves a spot closer to the other cars. We’ve all seen race car haulers, but this was practically a show piece in itself. The RELLIMAH name was used by Harry when he had reorganized after a bankruptcy.
I thought I spotted you yesterday, we had met at last years show. Now I regret not having said something to you.
@kabinenroller , @milwscruffy and any other HAMB’er’s, I won’t let missing you guys happen again. If I go next year I’ll be sure to mention that I’ll be there. Friday seems to be my preferred day.
Yes, the Me*** cars were a large presence, I’ve shown them here in years past so I didn’t include them. One exhibitor that I didn’t see this year was a gentleman from central, or maybe southern Illinois. He always brings a car and sometimes something spectacular that’s in the construction phase, with incredible body work and castings all from scratch. There was a similar show at IRP in Indiana last month, I think that pulled some cars away from Milwaukee.
To me the roadsters are the epitome of Indy car racing. Back in the day I wouldn't miss at least listening to an Indy race. Now, I could really care less about the current races.
I messaged him on here before we got there and exchanged phone numbers, then called when we got to the track.
In Illinois we have two seasons, Winter and Road Construction. I left at 8AM, got to the track about 10:15 as expected from Orland Park, IL. The ride home was much worse, a little over three hours because of road construction on the Tri-State tollway. The toll authority has just announced a new program, more construction and a toll increase with fees possibly tied to inflation. Gee, didn’t see that coming
Thanks for sharing those great cars. I'm one of those who managed to listen to the race on the radio and very often in a car headed to a family picnic or with my grandparents traveling between cemeteries to place flowers on family members and close friends graves. That always ending with a picnic somewhere. At ten years old I knew the names of more of the drivers and what car they drove and now I can't name one driver from this year even though I watched.
Thanks for Pic's It Amazing to me the thought ,thinking Engineering. I would like to know hear why they made things the way they did . How they Tested / collected data ( Just by stop watch) To know it work or a advantage. The Epic setups . Brakes , there so much in these pre 67 racers . One I see is the Jesus clip post #1 on knock off Looks to have gap afew threads away From nut , I wonder if loosen that .200 thousands would you feel loos Wheel ? I think wheels where pin's & post #6 jam nut back off
Thanks @Fordors ,and others, again this year for photos and narrative. I haven't been to the Reunion for several years.
Did you happen to notice the stainless steel cargo doors on the lower part of the trailer LH side? The driver had a “little” mishap in the parking lot of the hotel, he sideswiped a large boulder. Too bad to see it damaged. I am sure the new doors have already been ordered.
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