The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-04-25
First Arrivals at Work
Tuning Up for 500 Mile
Auto Classic.
By Blythe @. Hendricks


Front wheel drive cars will make
their appearance in the annual 500
mile race at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway for the first time In the
history of the event.
The new creations, designed and
built by that master automobile en-
gineer. Harry Miller. will be driven
by little Bennett Hill and the vet
eran Dave Lewis. according to in
formation obtained today. The mo-
tors are the conventional Miller
Eight in a row."
One of the cars. owned by Cliff
Durant. millionaire MANUFACTURER
and driver, already is on hand for
the big race. Dave Lewis will be
its pilot, according to dope"
Carefully Guarded
Carefully shrouded from view un-
der a covering reaching TO the floor
it stands in the shop of the Fl. c. S.
factory waiting to be tuned up for
the great race. Just when It will
swing into action no man knoweth.
As the car has been seen several
times on California board tracks
there is nc particular reason for Sc
crecy. Owing to minor troubles as
prevalent in new cars as measles
and whooping cough among children,
the car never has had a chance to
show its ultimate speed possibilities
The car was built by Miller to be
driven by Jimmy Murphy. the Mil
Ter ace, and was to have been
sprung on an unsuspecting world,
along with another piloted by Benny
Hill at the dirt track races at
Syracuse. n. Y, Sept. 10. 1924. How
ever the cars were not ready for
that race, and the flying Jimmy
never sat behind the wheel as he
was killed in a smash-up in that
day.
Sold to Durant
After Murphy's death the car was
completed and was sold to Durant.
The purchase price is said to have
been in the neighborhood of 10000
Possibilities of four-wheel drive
cars long have occupied attention of
motor car designers. theoretically,
the dangers Of skidding is lessened
in this type of car and application
of power to the wheels more posi-
tive. Many experimental cars have
been built. but with the exception
Of the famous old front-drive mon
ster of Walter Christie, almost two
decades ago.. none Of them has been
successful to a marked degree.
Christie's ar, with cylinders like
buckets, and combining the temper
ment OF an enraged lion, a balky
mule. an operate star and a tickle
maiden, was capable of tremendous
bursts of speed when 1t was I'm the
proper mood. At other times it re-
fused 10 bulge.
Performance of the new Millers
will be watched with even more than
the usual interest. attached to any
thing from the hand Of the great
designer.
There is an old saying at the
Speedway that when De Palma Is
on hand early, watch out. If that Is
the case then the hard driving.
hard luck driver will stand a lot of
scrutiny this year.
DE Palma Early
His two cars, a stub tailed dirt
tracker and the a he will take to
the starting line May 80, already are
here. Both are Millers and they
are in the hands Of Jean Marsenac,
a familiar figure in every race since
he came over with the Ballot outfit
Just after the war, and Ernie Olsen,
formerly of Murphy's outfit. This
Franco-Scandinavian alliance is ca
pable of making the most refractory
motor sit up on its hing legs and
purr, and they are working hard on
the De Palma buses. Ralph him.
self is due Tuesday and 1t never Is
long after he reaches the Speedway
before the hum of his motor is heard
flying into the first turn.
Marsenac was with Joe Boyer's
outfit last year and gave a pint of
blood for a TRANSMISSION which
failed to save Joe's life following
the crash at the Altoona, Penna..
Speedway last Labor day.
De Palma's race car is the same