This 1927 Miller Number 8 Supercharged Front Drive was built by Harry A. Miller in 1927 as factory car #8. It is powered by a 91 cubic inch eight cylinder engine. It was first driven by Pete Depaolo and was raced at Indy, Altoona, Salem and other tracks and won the National Championship in 1927. It was restored in January of 2002.
The Miller Number 8 stands as a testament to Harry Miller's visionary engineering and its impact on American racing history. With its advanced technology, powerful supercharged engine, and innovative front-wheel drive layout, it remains a symbol of excellence and achievement in early 20th-century motorsport, continuing to inspire admiration among enthusiasts and collectors for its pioneering spirit and racing prowess.
Overview
- Production Year: 1927
- Manufacturer: Miller Brothers Inc., designed by Harry Miller
- Class: Racing car / Front-wheel drive open-wheel racer
- Body Style: Single-seat open-wheel racer
Design and Specifications
- Engine:
- The Miller Number 8 typically featured a supercharged inline-eight engine, often referred to as the Miller 91, designed and built by Harry Miller.
- Engine displacement varied, but it commonly ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 liters (91 to 183 cubic inches), depending on specific race regulations and configurations.
- Supercharging technology was advanced for its time, enhancing engine performance and efficiency by forcing more air into the cylinders.
- Transmission:
- The car was equipped with a manual gearbox, likely featuring a 2-speed or 3-speed transmission, optimized for racing conditions.
- Chassis:
- The chassis utilized a lightweight and durable tubular steel frame, designed for maximum rigidity and structural integrity to handle high-speed racing.
- Suspension:
- Front-wheel drive layout allowed for innovative suspension configurations, typically featuring independent front suspension with semi-elliptic leaf springs, providing responsive handling and stability.
- Rear suspension was often minimalistic, focusing on reducing weight and optimizing weight distribution for improved cornering performance.
Performance
- Top Speed: The Miller Number 8 Supercharged Front Drive achieved impressive speeds, capable of exceeding 150 mph (240 km/h) on straightaways, depending on race configuration and conditions.
- Acceleration: With its supercharged engine and lightweight construction, the car boasted rapid acceleration, crucial for competitive starts and overtaking maneuvers during races.
- Handling: The front-wheel drive layout and advanced suspension design contributed to agile handling characteristics, offering precise steering and stability under high-speed cornering.
Design Features
- Bodywork:
- The Miller Number 8 featured a streamlined and aerodynamically optimized open-wheel racing car design, focused on minimizing drag and maximizing downforce for enhanced performance.
- It had a minimalist approach to body panels, exposing the mechanical components and emphasizing functionality over aesthetic considerations.
- Interior:
- The cockpit was designed for the driver's needs during racing, featuring a single-seat configuration with essential instrumentation and controls positioned for optimal access and visibility.
- Interior amenities were minimalistic, reflecting the car's purpose-built nature and focus on lightweight construction and performance optimization.
- Customization:
- Each Miller racing car was custom-built and tuned for specific racing events and conditions, with adjustments made to engine performance, suspension settings, and aerodynamic modifications tailored to maximize competitiveness.
Legacy
- Historical Significance:
- The Miller Number 8 Supercharged Front Drive holds immense historical significance as a pioneering front-wheel drive racing car, showcasing Harry Miller's engineering genius and innovation in automotive design.
- It influenced the development of racing technology and set benchmarks for performance and handling that inspired future generations of race car designers and engineers.
- Cultural Impact:
- The Miller Number 8 contributed to the popularity and growth of American motorsport during the 1920s and 1930s, capturing the imagination of racing enthusiasts and spectators alike with its groundbreaking technology and competitive successes.
- It remains a symbol of innovation and achievement in early American racing, embodying the spirit of ingenuity and perseverance that defined the era.
- Collector's Interest:
- Due to its rarity, historical significance, and association with Harry Miller's legacy, the Miller Number 8 Supercharged Front Drive is highly sought after by collectors, museums, and automotive historians.
- Well-preserved examples with documented racing histories and original specifications are prized possessions, representing a link to a bygone era of pioneering automotive engineering and motorsport innovation.
You may purchase a print of the 1927 Miller Number 8 Supercharged Front Drive in our dElegance 2013 online gallery.
