Spring Issue 2013

Harry A. Miller Club NewsPhotos courtesy of David Newhardt

The Harry A. Miller Club

Register Now! Millers at Milwaukee – July 12-13, 2013 The 19th annual Millers at Milwaukee–

Vintage Indy Car Event is fast approaching! We encourage anyone interested in entering this exciting meet to get your applications in as soon as possible!

A few years ago we had to limit the number of cars entered to a maximum of 60. We reached that total the last two years, and we don’t want anyone to be disappointed. You can copy the entry application from the harrymillerclub.com website, or request by e-mail at harrymillerclub@sbcglobal.net.

Our exciting weekend begins on Thursday, July 11 with an evening cook-out and social at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Entrants commented last year, that it was a great opportunity to meet up with old friends in a relaxing setting. The annual banquet and silent auction are held on Friday evening, and offer a wonderful evening with great food and conversation.

The Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West is the host hotel for our gathering. It has proven to be the perfect location - with excellent accommodations, delicious food and courteous service.

Make your reservations by calling 414-475-9500 and state that you are with the Harry Miller Club and the Millers at Milwaukee Event.

We are partnering with the Andretti Sports Marketing group to promote both our event in July and the Milwaukee IndyFest Event to be held at the Milwaukee Mile on June 14-15. The Miller Club will have an information table at their gathering, and share information about our July event. Dana will have three of his historic cars on display, representing the styles of cars people can expect to see in

our vintage lineup! We believe this joint promotional opportunity will draw many more spectators and entrants to our Miller Event the following month!

We had expected to have the boardtrack racing group exhibit their motorcycles during our event on Friday, July 12. Unfortunately, due to scheduling changes, the group will not be part of our event this year.

For a complete overview of the Millers at Milwaukee weekend event, please see page 6. You will also find event information on the club website. If you have specific questions, please e-mail or call Lenore at 262-388-5221.  See you in July!

1Cars run on the Milwaukee Mile.

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Spring Issue 2013

It is interesting where one finds beauty while another may look at an automobile

and find it unappealing. One such car is the Bunny Phillips Bugatti-Miller. For this writer, the Bunny Phillips is a beauty.

The original owner, Overton “Bunny” Phillips was a fascinating character. An authority on the subject of Bugatti, Phillips owned a Bugatti garage in San Gabriel, just outside of Los Angeles. Phillips, a masterful builder and mechanic found himself as the “go to” person in regards to the French marque. His garage was not only known for Bugatti repairs, it was the social center of the budding So-Cal Hot Rod movement. Phillips’ venture was the place to gather on weekends. On any given weekend, one could find many of the pioneers of the California racing / hot rod scene, such as John Burgess, Briggs Cunningham, Bob Hammel, or car dealer Bob Estes.

The car was entered at Indianapolis in 1936 and 1937 as a conventional Bugatti Type 35 (chassis # 4748). In 1936, it was driven by journeyman driver and former riding mechanic, Luther Johnson but was too slow to make the field. Later that year Phillips drove the car at the Vanderbilt Grand Prix on Long Island but dropped out due to mechanical ills.

The following year, in another car, Phillips was involved in an unfortunate situation involving driver Vern Orenduff. Phillips lost control of the J. L. Mannix

Duesenberg #66 and spun into the pits, killing a spectator and injuring Orenduff.

Phillips acquired a V-8 Miller originally built for the Four Wheel Drive project originally conceived in 1932. The engine was in need of rebuilding due to Peter DePaolo’s overseas trip with the Scully brothers in 1934. De Paolo raced the car at Tripoli, Libya, achieving some success with a sixth place finish. The car made an appearance in Berlin, which saw the engine erupting on the long straightaway at the Avus circuit. Legend has it, the detonation occurred in front of the Fuhrer himself.

In 1939, Phillips rebuilt and beefed up the suspension in the front end of the Bugatti using components of the FWD car. He also updated the conventional Bugatti coachwork with what was thought to be a more

aerodynamic design for the late-1930’s. However the tail section remained the same.

Phillips also de-stroked the V8 Miller engine which was originally 308 cubic inches, to a 269 cubic inch and put the rebuilt engine into his old, now rebuilt Bugatti. He then raced the unique dark red car himself at Indianapolis in 1940, failing to qualify. He did make the field in 1941 and finished 13th. Later that year, he also raced the car on the dirt at Milwaukee and Syracuse.

In 1946, Hal Robson drove the car at Indianapolis finishing 26th and dropping out after 37 laps due to a broken connecting rod. His brother, George won the race.

A final footnote to the car: In 1947 it was entered at the Brickyard, however was withdrawn due to the ASPAR dispute.

In 1994, the Bugatti-Miller went from Phillips to Dr. Peter Williamson of Lyme, NH who at the time was one of the premier Bugatti collectors and historians. Dr. Williamson had the car restored as it ran in the 1941 “500.”

The Miller-Bugatti was shown at the prestigious Pebble Beach concours in 1998 and won its class. After Dr. Williamson passed, it went to collector Charles

Nearburg of Dallas, TX. This unique Bugatti-Miller was part of the

distinguished Miller display at the Amelia Island Event this past March. Nearburg is also a loyal member of the Harry A. Miller Club.

The Bunny Phillips Bugatti-MillerOverton “Bunny” Phillips in the Bugatti-Miller in 1941. Photo

courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Written by Steve Zautke

Spring Issue 2013

The genius of American race car designer and builder Harry Miller was

celebrated as part of the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, held March 8-10th in Jacksonville, FL. “The Amelia is more than just an event,” said Bill Warner, Chairman and Founder of this prestigious gathering. “It’s a celebration of the past, present and future of automobiles. We gathered the very best in classic cars, racing history and automotive superstars together for the 2013 Concours, and attracted over 25,000 people over the weekend event.”

The Harry Miller display included an amazing 20 cars, owned by many of our club members. This exhibit was in recognition of the 90th anniversary of the first win of a Harry Miller car in the Indianapolis 500. Tommy Milton drove the famous “122” racing car to the first of eleven victories of Harry Miller-built cars and engines.

“When people talk about Harry Miller’s work, the word ‘genius’ always surfaces,” stated Warner. “After seeing his work up close, it’s easy to understand why.” Bill Warner is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Harry Miller Club. Harry Miller’s attention to even the minutest detail was stunning. He

was obsessive about quality. Even the smallest components of his cars, engines and carburetors were finished to jewelers’ standards, even when no one, not even the customer, would see the finished product of his dedication to excellence and mechanical perfection.

More than 300 illustrious cars and Ducati Motorcycles from around the world participated in the 2013 Concours, allowing an enthusiastic crowd to witness a wide array of automotive excellence.

The 1936 Duesenberg SJN, owned by Helen and Jack Nethercutt, took home the prestigious Concours d'Elegance award, heralded as one of the most sought-after

trophies in classic car pageantry. The Councours de Sport award was presented to a 1968 Ford GT40, owned by the Rocky Mountain Auto Collection. This car was put on display at the Indianapolis Speedway

Museum to commemorate its racing records, before being returned to private ownership in 1984. “I’m very pleased with the judges’ decisions for the 2013 Amelia Island Concours winners, as these vehicles are stunning examples of classic design and racing history,” said Warner. “Every year I’m blown away by the cars that grace our field, and I would like to congratulate our panel of esteemed judges on their excellent selection. I’m sure the decision wasn’t easy.”

Legendary driver Sam Posey served as the 2013 honoree and nine of the cars he

raced in, were featured in “The Cars of Sam Posey” class. Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss made his way to the Amelia and was an exciting addition to the numerous

automotive icons in attendance.

Our own Miller Club President, Dana Mecum, won the award for Best Open Wheel Car, featuring the V16 Miller. The award was presented by Bill Spoerle of the Indy 500 Racing Museum. We invite all Miller Club

members to join us at our Millers at Milwaukee-Vintage Indy Car Event this July 12-13, to see many of these great Millers run on the infamous Milwaukee Mile track.

Harry A. Miller Club News

Amelia Island Consours d’Elegance

1931 Miller - Price Museum of Speed1932 Miller Four Wheel Drive - Price Museum of Speed1933 Miller V16 - Ted Davis1933 Miller “The Red Lion” - Bob and Diane McConnell1934 Miller Burd Piston Special - Malloy Foundation - Tom and Sharon Malloy1935 Miller-Ford 2-Man Indy Car - Malloy Foundation - Tom and Sharon Malloy 1935 Miller-Ford NOVI Winfield V8 - Malloy Foundation - Tom and Sharon Malloy1935 Miller-Ford V8 Special - Dana and Patti Mecum1932 “Bunny Phillips Special” - Charles Nearburg

The Millers Displayed at the 2013 Amelia Island Event

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Written by Steve Zautke

1923 Miller 122 Indy Car - A. Dano Davis1923 Miller Grand Prix Car - A. Dano Davis1924 Miller 122/183 Convertible - Price Museum of Speed1924 Miller 122/91 - The Revs Institute for Auto Research at the Collier Collection1926 Miller 91 Locomobile Junior 8 - Sam Mann1927 Cooper - Miller Price Museum of Speed1927 Miller Race Car - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum1927 Miller Supercharged Front Drive - Terence E. Adderley1930 Miller Sampson Special - A. Dano Davis1931 Miller V16 Racer - Dana and Patti Mecum

Andretti Sports Marketing is thrilled to be bringing Milwaukee  IndyFest and the stars

of the IZOD IndyCar Series back to the legendary Milwaukee Mile at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. The Milwaukee Mile is the longest continually operating speedway in the world, as it celebrates it’s 110th  Anniversary.

IndyFest festivities will kick off  Thursday  night, June 13 with a street party at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center hosted by Marcus Hotel and Resorts, an IndyFest Champion of the Community.   The street party will feature live music, food vendors, live entertainment, a car show along with vintage car and IZOD IndyCar Series displays.

Fans are invited on Friday to come out to the track to watch from the grandstands as the IZOD IndyCar Series, Indy Lights Series and Pro Mazda Championship Series teams practice and set up. Live music, carnival rides, the IZOD IndyCar Series exhibit and vintage car show are all included with an infield ticket.  

The popular Generations Q&A with the stars of IndyCar and their dads will be back on the stage and fans get to meet  their  favorite drivers during the autographs session on  Friday  night.   Stay for the party and marching bands.

Gates open both Friday and Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and the green flag flies for the IZOD IndyCar Series at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday. For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets please visit:    www.milwaukeeindyfest.com  or call the Wisconsin State Fair Park box office: (414) 266-7100. Box office hours are 10AM - 4PM weekdays. Follow us on Facebook.com/MilwaukeeIndyFest to stay updated on all the latest IndyFest news.

IZOD IndyCar Series

July 12th-13th, 2013

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Spring Issue 2013

Dana Mecum has served as the President of the Harry Miller Club

since 2007. Since that time he and fellow Board members have helped the Club grow in membership and in annual event participation.

Dana’s interest and passion for cars began at an early age, as a result of his father’s involvement in the car business. At the young age of 14, Dana purchased his first Corvette. At the age of 15, he was selling Pontiacs and Buicks at his father’s new car dealership. By 1974, Dana owned his own collector car dealership.

During the 1980's Dana's focus was on buying and selling collector cars, and in 1988 that evolved into Mecum Auctions, the world leader in collector car and road art sales. Presently, Dana holds between 12 and 15 auctions nationwide. Last year he offered 15,000 cars at auction. The corporate office of Mecum Auctions moved to Walworth, WI from Marengo, IL two years ago, due to the need for more office space.

The popularity of collector cars, along

with the success of Mecum Auctions, resulted in the Discovery Velocity Network’s interest in airing Mecum Auctions live. Commentators describe the best features of each car and their history as each car is presented.

During the 1990’s Dana began building his personal car collection. Dana commented, “I practice what I preach, and have been adding to my own collection over the years. I look at the centerpiece of my collection as my vintage Indy cars and my Millers.”

Mecum Auctions is proud to sponsor the Panther Racing Dreyer & Reinbold #22 Indy car, which finished 4th at the Indianapolis 500 last year. The car is driven by Oriol Servià.

Congratulations also to Dana on his Best Open Wheel Car Award for his V16 Miller, presented at the recent Amelia Island’s Concours d’Elegance. The award, sponsored by the Indianapolis 500 Museum, was presented by Bill Spoerle.

Dana is pleased to work with the Miller Board of Directors in educating the public about the history of vintage race cars and the great accomplishments of Harry Miller. He stated, “The Miller event is the only automotive activity I’m involved with that is not related to my business.

I enjoy the break from conversations about business, and focus on having fun with my cars and talking with our fellow members. We have a great group of people in the Miller Club, and our annual event is a perfect time to reconnect and share stories about our cars’ histories.”

Written by Lenore Heinzelmann

Focus On: Miller Club President Dana Mecum

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Dana Mecum's V16 Miller is judged at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. 

Dana Mecum holds his Amelia Island Best Open Wheel Car Award for his V16 Miller with Mike Flaherty.

Sponsored by the Indianapolis 500 Museum, Bill Spoerle presents Dana Mecum with the Amelia Island Best Open Wheel Car Award.

Photos courtesy of Sam Murtaugh

Friends of Harry Miller Club: $100-$200•Name Listed in Miller Event Program •Name Listed in one line Miller Club Newsletter

“HOME OF “OFFY DAVE” philreillycompany.comTel. (415) 924.9022

Offenhauser • Sunbeam • Meyer-Drake • Miller • Peugeot •Duesenberg • Sparks Thorne

Miller •Meyer-Drake • Offenhauser

Sunb

eam

• Pe

ugeo

t Duesenberg • Sparks Thorne Just A Reminder:

If you have not yet paid your 2013 membership fees they are now due!

See Page 8

Shuttle Service Available

Once again the Crowne Plaza will provide shuttle service, free of charge, from the hotel to the Milwaukee Mile. A drop off and pick up schedule will be available upon check in. If there is a time that you wish to travel that is not listed, you may inquire if they can provide service at that time.

Entrants

You may pick up your Social/Cook out tickets and name tags starting at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 11 at the registration table located in the hotel lobby. Your banquet tickets will be provided in your Registration Packet. The Registration Packets can be picked up Friday morning at the registration tent as you enter the Milwaukee Mile. You will also be required to sign a waiver and wear a wristband throughout the weekend. There will be a parking fee charged for each car as you enter Gate 5 of the fairgrounds. A $5 per day fee is being charged by the Wis. State Fair Park, and is collected by their personnel.

Overview of Activities Scheduled for Millers at Milwaukee Event

Thursday – July 1112-4 p.m. Trailers and cars park at Milwaukee Mile 5:30 – 7 p.m. Welcome Social at Crowne Plaza

Friday – July 127:30 – 9 a.m. Trailers and cars may park at Milwaukee Mile8:30 a.m. Cars begin to line up on track for group photo9:00 a.m. Photo taken of cars on track9:40 a.m. Drivers’ Meeting10:00 a.m. Cars begin run on the Milwaukee Mile12–12:30 p.m. Lunch Break1 – 4:00 p.m. Cars continue run on the track6:00 p.m. Cocktails at Crowne Plaza Silent Auction Begins7:00 p.m. Banquet begins8:00 p.m. Silent Auction winners announced

Saturday – July 137:30 a.m. Gates Open at Milwaukee Mile To Entrants8:00 a.m. Gates Open to Public10:00 a.m. Cars begin run on the track12-12:30 p.m. Lunch Break1-4:00 p.m. Cars continue run on the track4:00 p.m. Event concludes

We are anticipating another great Millers at Milwaukee gathering this July 12-13. Please consider one of our sponsorship opportunities to help with the expenses of this annual event. There are many advertising and promotional benefits provided

to event sponsors. The various levels of sponsorship are listed below. Perhaps you know of a business that might be interested in a unique opportunity to promote their product or service at the Milwaukee Mile!

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available For 2013 Miller Event

Associate Sponsorship: Four available

Friends of The Harry A. Miller Club: $100

Executive Sponsorship: Two available

Corporate Sponsorship: Four available

Title Sponsorship: One available

Contact Dana Mecum for details.Benefits:• Full page ad in Miller Event & Banquet programs• Full page ad in three Miller Club newsletters• Link on Club website and Mecum Auction website• Banner display option at Miller Event

$5,000Benefits:• Full page ad in Miller Event program• Full page ad in three Miller Club newsletters• Link on Club website.• Banner display option at Miller Event.

$2,000Benefits:• One-half page ad in Miller Event program• One-half page ad in three Miller Club newsletters• Link on Club website• Banner display option at Miller Event

$1,000Benefits:• One-quarter page ad in Miller Event program• One-quarter page ad in three Miller Club newsletters• Link on Club website• Banner display option at Miller Event

$100-$500Benefits:•Name listed in Miller Event program•Name listed in one Miller Club newsletter

Harry A. Miller Club News

Over Five Decades ofEngineering Excellence

Racing EnginesVintage/Historic Engines

Street Rod EnginesDyno Testing & Track Support

Design & Engineering

14612 Raymer St., Van Nuys, CA 91405818.785.6740 • Fax 818.785.4710

edpink.com engshop@edpink.com © 2010 Ed Pink Racing Engines

We would like to acknowledge and thank the following individuals for their support of our 2013 event.

Associate SponsorPhil Reilly and Company

Corporate SponsorEd Pink Racing Engines – Tom Malloy

Friends of the Miller ClubColin Comer

John DussDennis Holloway

Carl JensenAugie Pabst

Mitch RasanskyCarl Schulz

Steve Sessions Mark UlinskiDan Wallace

Tedd Zamjahn

Our Special Thanks

Just A Reminder: If you have not yet paid your 2013

membership fees they are now due!See Page 8

Be Part of this Exciting Weekend Gathering!

The Milwaukee Mile July 12-13, 2013

A Maximum of 60 cars will be allowed to register for the Miller’s Club’s 19th annual event.Don’t miss out on the opportunity to run your car for two days on the legendary Milwaukee Mile!

Register now by completing the entry form provided on our website, or e-mail harrymillerclub@sbcglobal.net.

Spring Issue 2013

The Harry A. Miller Club P.O. Box 541 • Germantown • WI • 53022Tel (262) 388-5221 • harrymillerclub.com

About The Harry A. Miller Club

Millers at Milwaukee – Vintage Indy Car Event

Harry Miller is quite simply the greatest

creative figure in the history of American auto racing. He created the great school of American thoroughbred engine design, which was faithfully followed by those

who sought to outdo him. Miller was the first U.S. designer who viewed the racing car as an art object. Miller had a passion for metalwork and machinery that soared above and beyond all other designers.*From The Miller Dynasty, By Mark Dees, The Hippodrome Publishing Co. 1994

David V. Uihlein, Sr., founder of the Harry Miller Club, sought to bring recognition to Harry Miller and his vast accomplishments, by sharing his great race car and engine designs with younger generations. Miller based cars and engines dominated

championship competition in this country during the 1920’s, winning 38 Indianapolis 500 races!

To Join the Harry A. Miller ClubNew members may complete the

membership application found on the Harry Miller Club website: harrymillerclub.com, or call 262-388-5221 to request an application. The fee for new members, or members renewing for the first time is $40.

Membership renewals for members who have held continued membership for more than two years is $25.

Please mail your check (made out to The Harry Miller Club), along with your name, address, phone, and e-mail to:

The Harry Miller ClubP.O. Box 541

Germantown, WI 53022

President: Dana Mecum Office, 262- 275-5050Directors: Brian Brunkhorst Lenore Heinzelmann Tom Malloy Bill Warner Tedd ZamjahnAssociate Directors: Dan Davis Bob McConnellAddress: Harry A. Miller Club P.O. Box 541 Germantown, WI 53022 262-388-5221

E-mail: harrymillerclub@sbcglobal.net

Har r y A . Mi l ler C lub Board of Directors

This newsletter welcomes contributions, photos, and suggestions. We hope to feature stories about members’ car restorations or other news pertinent to vintage auto collectors. All items submitted for the newsletter shall be considered an expressed warranty by the author that said material is in no way an infringement upon the rights of others.

The Harry Miller Club News is published three times per year, and is printed for the auto racing enthusiast interested in open wheel history. The next deadline for submission is August 15, 2013.8