How fast does the Marmon Wasp go?

Answer 1

In the coming weeks I'll try to post a picture of an Indy 500 car from each decade - we'll see how far I get. First up is the Marmon Wasp, winner of the first Indy 500 in 1911. This car is famous for having the first rear-view mirror (visible above the dash). It was controversial at the time because it meant that this car was the only one in the field without a passenger mechanic - a clear advantage. The average speed for the race? About 75 miles per hour, which means the race took more than six and a half hours.

* http://talkpractice.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/indy-500-pole-day-approaches/Another site:

After 6 hours, 42 minutes, 8 seconds and averaging 74.59 miles per hour; Harroun took America's most historic checkered flag. He finished about 5/8 mile ahead of Mulford. The 1911 Indianapolis "500" purse amounted to $27,550, of which Harroun earned $14,000. The Marmon Company let Harroun keep it all, plus a bonus. On the day the award was given, Ray Harroun announced his retirement from driving but not from the automobile business. Harroun was retained as a consulting engineer, for several years. He designed and developed the Harroun carburetor for the 1913 Marmon "48".

* http://www.mshf.com/index.htm?/hof/harroun_ray.htm