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, super chargers, and the rear view mirror were first developed there. When the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909, the hometown manufacturers dominated the track - Marmon, Stutz and Duesenberg. 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.

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.

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.



Book Information
ISBN 9781476666914
Author Sigur E. Whitaker
Format Paperback
Page Count 277
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc