The Indianapolis Automobile Industry: A History, 1893-1939

by Sigur E. Whitaker

Overview

In 1893, Indianapolis carriage maker Charles Black created a rudimentary car—perhaps the first designed and built in America. Within 15 years, Indianapolis was a major automobile industry center rivaling Detroit, and known for quality manufacturing and innovation—the aluminum engine, disc brakes, aerodynamics, superchargers, and the rear view mirror were first developed there. When the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909, hometown manufacturers Marmon, Stutz and Duesenberg dominated the track. The author covers their histories, along with less well known contributors to the industry, including National, American, Premier, Marion, Cole, Empire, LaFayette, Knight-Lyons and Hassler.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476666914
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	02/22/2018
Pages:	319
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

A native of Indianapolis, Sigur E. Whitaker, is the great-great-niece of James Allison, one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A retired banker, she lives in Norfolk, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
 1. In the Beginning
 2. A Seed Is Planted
 3. Indianapolis-Built Cars Dominate Racing
 4. Indianapolis-Built Cars Continue to Dominate Racing
 5. Stutz Cars Make an Entrance
 6. National Leads the Way
 7. Legislation Threatens the Indianapolis Auto Industry
 8. Adopting the ­Six-Cylinder Car
 9. Stutz Named Car of the Year
10. The Marvelous Marmon 34
11. The War Years
12.  Peace Brings Significant Growth
13. Overcapacity and an Economic Recession
14.  The Duesenberg Brothers Unveil Their Automobile
15. Industry Under Stress
16. Duesenberg Dominates Racing
17. E. L. Cord Buys Duesenberg
18. Then There Were Three
19. The End Comes
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Excellent”—The Automobile; “Scrupulous attention to detail...extensive notes and references, but it stands alone in gifting the automotive historian with a compelling and comprehensive picture of the early years and up until the end days of Indianapolis as a powerhouse of the early industry...excellent photographs...this book belongs on the shelf of anyone who has a passion for the founders and innovators in the industry as well as those who cover books related to motor racing.”—SAH Journal.

From the Publisher