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100 years ago, Tommy Miltons Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?UPDATE W VIDEO

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14 Apr 2020 13:40 #39949 by rdsieber
Replied by rdsieber on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Regarding the double tires (on the Christie), it was probably to counteract tremendous understeer on left-turning tracks. The load on that outside corner may have also have required extra rubber to prevent a blowout.
=rds

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  • Terry Cockerell
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14 Apr 2020 04:20 - 14 Apr 2020 04:23 #39945 by Terry Cockerell
Replied by Terry Cockerell on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
I have no idea Jim, maybe the engine was developed with some variations along the way. My guess is that it had a magneto, you can see plug wires in both pictures. I had sent Shannon an article called Front Wheel Drive Dinosaurs but it was not published. Mr Christie was a pioneer in front wheel drive design and application. He invented a power unit to replace horses that was used by fire fighting authorities in America. Attached are some pictures of it.
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Last edit: 14 Apr 2020 04:23 by Terry Cockerell. Reason: Adding pictures

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14 Apr 2020 04:15 #39944 by mikespeed35
Replied by mikespeed35 on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Why two tires on the right front and one on the left?
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14 Apr 2020 04:12 #39943 by mikespeed35
Replied by mikespeed35 on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Mask on only when I'm painting. My kids tell me I should were it to the store!!
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13 Apr 2020 23:53 #39942 by JIM.OBRIEN
Replied by JIM.OBRIEN on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Terry,
I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but this car is very interesting to the engineer/mechanic in me. I think these photos may be of two different cars, I see several different details. But also I don't see any signs of a gas tank, carb, electrical system or instruments. This must have been a beast to attempt to drive. I would love to see more details on this car.
Jim

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13 Apr 2020 22:22 - 13 Apr 2020 22:24 #39941 by Terry Cockerell
Replied by Terry Cockerell on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
The picture was found on the Internet in Google Images. Yes I believe the driver was Barney Oldfield. There is also Christie site where I found more amazing picture. Check out the engine details and early "Constant Velocity Joints".
The cylinders were laid back wards in order to put some weight on the rear axle, similarly with the location of the huge radiator. What a beast!
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Last edit: 13 Apr 2020 22:24 by Terry Cockerell. Reason: Adding pictures

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  • Joel
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13 Apr 2020 21:26 #39940 by Joel
Replied by Joel on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
I just found something really cool! A video of Miltons land speed car at the 1920 Indianapolis 500. Why was it there? Just to show it off and celebrate?

Tommy Milton video
Joel Nystrom
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe
[img

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13 Apr 2020 19:45 #39935 by Joel
Replied by Joel on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Miltons car did catch fire on the record run, hence the scorched hood. He drove it into the ocean to save it.
With those 3 pedals, I'm assuming that 2 must be for clutches. Some land speed cars of the day did not have clutches or gear boxes, they were direct coupled from the flywheel to the axles with no means of disengagement. They just push started them and killed the motor to stop. They moved them with the drive wheels off the ground.
Joel Nystrom
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe
[img

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13 Apr 2020 15:26 #39932 by RandyEma
Replied by RandyEma on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Mike Yes this was straight line runs only no ovals at Daytona . And we appreciate you six feet back of your screen ,but is your mask on?. R

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12 Apr 2020 22:08 #39926 by rdsieber
Replied by rdsieber on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Terry:
That is a great image of a Christie. From where did you get it?
And, is that Barney Oldfield driving? Just wondering...
=rdsieber

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11 Apr 2020 03:25 #39915 by mikespeed35
Replied by mikespeed35 on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
With all that weight on the front I'm surprised it would go around corners at all. Would have made a great drag race car! I want you all to now I am sitting 6 foot from the computer so don't worry.
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10 Apr 2020 10:23 - 10 Apr 2020 10:25 #39907 by Terry Cockerell
Replied by Terry Cockerell on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Mike, I remember reading that this fantastic car caught fire with flames coming up around the steering column and burning the driver's face. In the second picture the hood looks like it has a burnt patch.
They built some monstrous machines in the early days. Your comment on twin clutches reminded me of John Walter Christie's 1907 20 Liter V4 front wheel drive racer. It had two clutches with one at each end of the traverse mounted engine. On corners I believe one clutch was depressed.
It would be exciting to hear the twin engine Duesenberg roar on by!
T cockerell
Last edit: 10 Apr 2020 10:25 by Terry Cockerell. Reason: Adding pictures

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10 Apr 2020 03:52 - 10 Apr 2020 03:54 #39901 by mikespeed35
Replied by mikespeed35 on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Some questions about the car. Two clutches? Must have been critical with two ring and pinion gears that the engine RPM be exactly matched? The center between the two engines must have been extremely Hot with a exhaust manifold in between. Big opening for rad. must have caught a lot of air. Carbs right below the center exhaust manifold.
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Last edit: 10 Apr 2020 03:54 by mikespeed35.

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09 Apr 2020 23:14 #39898 by Joel
Replied by Joel on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Thanks Randy for the reply. Too bad it got scrapped.
Joel Nystrom
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe
[img

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09 Apr 2020 22:06 #39897 by RandyEma
Replied by RandyEma on topic 100 years ago, Tommy Miltons twin engined Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?
Auggie Towed it to the scrap yard shortly before the company was sold to Cord.The engines may have been saved but only one engine survives today. R
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09 Apr 2020 19:17 - 13 Apr 2020 21:29 #39895 by Joel
100 years ago, Tommy Miltons Duesenberg went 150. Where is it now?UPDATE W VIDEO was created by Joel
In 1920, this car became the first to go 150 MPH.

theoldmotor.com/?p=14270



Does anyone know if this car still exists, or what happened to it?

Thanks,

Joel














Joel Nystrom
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe
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Last edit: 13 Apr 2020 21:29 by Joel.

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