Sig Haugdahl goes for the land-speed record

Postcard of Sig Haugdahl and the Wisconsin Special - from the author's collection

Sigurd Olson Haugdahl’s story begins upon his arrival in the United States at the age of 19. Making his home with an uncle in Minnesota, he’s soon setting speed records on ice with a Indian powered “skimobile”. By 1915, the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) is formed and J Alex Sloan quickly emerges as their leading promoter. Sloan had an emerging star in Haugdahl and the two are seen in exhibition races and setting track speed records across the mid-west through the late teens.

It was probably Sloan’s idea to go to Daytona Beach and challenge Tommy Milton’s record run of 156 mph in 1920. Milton had broken Ralph DePalma’s run of 149 mph in the Packard “905” Special the year prior. However, it seems clear that it was Sig who built the car for the job - The Wisconsin Special.

Named the Wisconsin Special due to its use of a Wisconsin aviation engine, the engine featured six-cylinders and roughly 250 horsepower. The Motor Age of November 20, 1922 reports that the engine is made of aluminum with magnesium alloy pistons and dual carburetors. They go on to report that it has a displacement of 764 cubic inches and weighs 610 pounds with a maximum 2667 rpm.

Sig was focused on three key factors for his racing special: first, he wanted to reduce drag by streamlining the car and lowering its center of gravity; second, he looked to reduce weigh by doing away with the clutch and transmission – it was direct drive; and finally, he paid great attention to balancing the wheels and tires. Popular Science of August 1924 reported that “The driving strain at the terrific speed the car develops is so great that Haugdahl carries a cigar in his month as a cushion for his teeth. One time he forgot that his cigar was lighted. When speeding at “only” about 120 miles per hour, he turned his head slightly. The wind blew the cigar into a flame and burned it to his face in an instant nearly causing him to wreck the car.”

Postcard of Sig Haugdahl and the Wisconsin Special - from the author's collection

Once in Daytona, it was clear that the American Automobile Association (AAA), a competitive sanctioning body to IMCA, would not sanction the run. The AAA and IMCA had a combative relationship, although they would merge in 1931 only to disband soon after, the AAA labeled the IMCA an "outlaw" organization.

Sloan and the IMCA were prepared for the record run with observers and timing equipment at hand. After a couple runs and adjustments, Haugdahl and the Wiconsin Special set a new three-mile-a-minute record of 180.27 mph – covering the mile in 19.97 seconds.

Sloan followed up the event with much press and the Wisconsin Special was taken on the circuit to fairs and festivals throughout the country. The car survives to this day. Sig Haugdahl would upset Fred Horey to take the IMCA national championship in 1927 and hold on to it for the next five years.

As for Sig Haugdahl, he would go on to create a landmark rocket powered car and organize the first Daytona Beach stock car race, inspiring a guy named Bill France to organize a racing series we call NASCAR.

Popular Science July 22, 1922

2017 Monterey offerings - Bonhams

It's Pebble Beach time again and a look through the online auction catalogs shows that there will be a few early vehicles offered for sale. Bonhams, as usual, has the most on offer, including a 1904 Premier, 1907 Thomas Flyer, and a 1910 Cadillac Model 30. 

The Premier, from Indianapolis, IN, introduced their 4 cylinder air-cooled engine (mounted crosswise and making 16 horsepower) in 1904. An early proponent of racing, this is the same year the company campaigned the 8 cylinder Premier Comet racing car with none other than Carl Fisher at the wheel. The body on the car offered was recreated, but The Horseless Age of February 24, 1904, describes the cars as such: "The car may be used either as a runabout or tonneau, the tonneau seats being detachable, and when used as a runabout a wicker basket for carrying baggage can be put in place the the tonneau."

1904 Premier Model F - photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

1904 Premier Roadster - photo credit: The Horseless Age, Feb 24, 1904

The next car on offer is the mighty 1909 Thomas Flyer 6-70 (6 cylinder - 70 horsepower). These cars are substantial and quite rare. Bonhams is forthright in the catalog description noting that this car was built from the parts bin at the Harrah collection. Bill Harrah was a big fan of the cars from Buffalo, NY and had a significant collection of them. Most notably it was Harrah who purchased and restored "The Great Race" winning 1907 Thomas. This car has been re-created in the 5-passenger "Flyabout" body style.

1909 Thomas Flyer 6-70 - photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

Automobile Topics Oct 17, 1908

Also on offer is the 1910 Cadillac Model 30 Touring car. Cadillac was founded when the creditors of the first Ford Motor Company enterprise asked respected engineer, Henry Leland, to evaluate the assets. Naming the new enterprise after the French explorer, Antoine Laumet Cadillac, one of the founders of the city of Detroit, Leland became a partner 1902. Leland's focus on provision machining of parts was recognized in 1908 when Cadillac won the Dewar Trophy for Britain's Royal Automobile Club for excellence in manufacturing (interchangeable parts). In 1909, Cadillac was sold to General Motors. The 1910 offerings included the Model 30 - a mid-priced car of high-quality - starting at $1,400 three body styles were offered: Roadster, Demi-Tonneau and this five-passenger Touring Car. Powered by a 226 cubic-inch L-head four-cylinder engine, the engineer makes 30 horsepower.

1910 Cadillac Model 30 - photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

2017 Monterey offerings - RM Sotheby's

It's Pebble Beach time again and a look through the online auction catalogs shows that there will be a few early vehicles offered for sale. RM Sotheby's has only one - a 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat. 

The Oldsmobile company was founded in 1897, and by 1904, Ransom E. Olds (the founder) had left the company that bore his name; divesting of his stock and starting REO. The Oldsmobile company became part of General Motors in 1908 - it's flagship brand. 

In 1911 the Olds Autocrat (also known as the Series 28), was the largest 4-cylinder car offered by Oldsmobile that year. Further, one of the largest cars offer anywhere due to its 38 inch wheels and 500 cubic inches of engine displacement. Oldsmobile had taken a big turn from producing smaller, more affordable cars to offering the Special (4-cylinder) at $3000, the Autocrat (4-cylinder) at $3500, and the LImited (6-cylinder) for $5000 in 1911.

The RM Sotheby's catalog notes that this car was originally purchased by John Henry Greenway Albert, the benefactor of a wealth Maryland mining family. It's stated that Albert promptly went about modifying the new car's coachwork by installing a “boattailed” aluminum body of his own design... and then he went racing.

1911 Olds Autocrat "Yellow Peril" - photo credit: RM Sotheby's

Olds Autocrat competing in Chicago reliability tour - photo credit: Motor Age Nov 2, 1911

1911 Olds Autocrat - photo credit: from the author's collection

2017 Monterey Offerings - Gooding & Co

It's Pebble Beach time again and regrettably I'm not going this year. However, a look through the online auction catalogs show that there will be a few early vehicles offered for sale. Gooding and Company has a 1907 Wolfe touring car on offer. 

The Wolfe (taking the last name of the salesman with whom the Wilcox brother partnered with) was manufactured in Minneapolis by the H.E. Wilcox Motor Company. The assembled car used a Carrico air-cooled engine or a Continental water-cooled engine (as this car has). It is thought that the company produced less than 50 cars this first year. Few car were built  through 1909 when the model name changed to Wilcox. They would continue through 1911.

1907 Wolfe - photo credit: Gooding & Co Auction

The Horseless Age of August 7, 1907 featured a quite up on the new car, covering the specifications. Additionally, the Cycle and Automotive Trade Journal list the new car among the year's offerings with the touring car priced at $1800 (not including top or windscreen).

The next car on offer is a 1912 Packard Model 30 (UE) Phaeton on the long wheelbase (129.5 inches). It is thought to be the only surviving example. The car was delivered in the summer of 1911 through the NYC dealership and apparently shipped to Europe. The car was soon back in Ottawa, Canada and purchased in 1912 by the Boyd family. They would keep the car for the next 66 year - selling it in 1978. The current owners have held on to the car for the last 39 years! Chassis number 20237 is said to be the 189th oldest Packard and certainly looks to be  a car to treasure. 

1912 Packard Model 30 Phaeton - photo credit: Gooding & Co Auction

1912 Packard Model 30 Phaeton - photo credit: Detroit Public Library National Automotive History Collection

1912 Packard as found circa 1978 - photo credit: packardsonline.com