The Marmon Wasp Driven by Ray Harroun, Winner of the 1911 Indianapolis 500
THF229391 / The Marmon Wasp Driven by Ray Harroun, Winner of the 1911 Indianapolis 500
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Artifact Overview
The Indianapolis 500, America's premier automobile race, debuted in 1911. The inaugural event drew 40 qualifying cars and 80,000 spectators. Driver Ray Harroun won with his yellow #32 Marmon Wasp. Harroun's car featured an innovative rear-view mirror that let him see competitors behind him. It's believed to be the first use of such a mirror on a race car.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1911-1911
Subject Date
1911
Creators
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.O.2694
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 3.5 in
Width: 4.625 in
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Related Content
SetThe First Indianapolis 500, 1911
- 26 Artifacts
The Indianapolis 500 bills itself today as the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." That description would have been just as accurate for the first race, held on May 30, 1911. Its 500-mile length and $27,000 prize purse were unlike anything seen in the auto racing world to that point. The first Indy 500 featured 40 qualifying cars. This set includes photos of 23 of them, presented in the order in which they finished the race.