The Marmon Wasp

The Marmon Wasp was a race car built by the Marmon Motor Car Company for the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race in 1911. Driven by Ray Harroun, the car went on to win the race and cement its place in the annals of global racing history.

The Nordyke-Marmon Company was founded in 1851 and originally produced milling equipment for the agriculture industry. In the late 19th century, the company began to expand into other areas, including manufacturing machinery and steam engines. In 1903, they began producing automobile engines and created the Marmon Motor Car Company to develop a range of high-performance engines for racing and other applications. The story goes that Howard Carpenter Marmon was frustrated with the low quality of automobiles available in the United States at the time and decided to build his own.  The Nordyke Marmon Company continued to produce engines and other industrial equipment throughout the early 20th century and played a key role in the development of the American manufacturing industry. 

The company initially produced a range of automobiles, including touring cars, roadsters, and limousines, but it wasn't until 1909 that they began to focus on building racecars. In that year, they hired engineer and driver Ray Harroun to help design and build their racing machines, and together they developed a series of highly successful vehicles that dominated the American racing circuit. By 1911, the Marmon Motor Company was one of the leading automakers in the country, and they were poised for their biggest triumph yet: the victory at the Indianapolis 500 in the Marmon Wasp, which would forever change the course of auto racing history.

The Marmon Wasp was a highly innovative and advanced racecar for its time, featuring a number of cutting-edge design elements that gave it a distinct advantage over its competitors. The car was built on a lightweight aluminum chassis and was powered by a powerful six-cylinder engine that produced 76 horsepower. Its aerodynamic body was designed with a tapered tail and low-slung front end, which helped to reduce drag and improve its top speed. The most significant innovation on the Marmon Wasp, however, was the rearview mirror, which was mounted on the windshield and allowed driver Ray Harroun to see his competitors without having to take his eyes off the road. This feature not only gave Harroun a competitive advantage, but it also paved the way for the widespread use of rearview mirrors in the auto industry. Overall, the Marmon Wasp was a groundbreaking vehicle that forever changed the course of auto racing history.

The Marmon Wasp's victory at the 1911 Indianapolis 500 was a watershed moment for the sport of auto racing. It helped to establish the race as one of the premier events in the world of sports and set a standard for innovation and ingenuity that still resonates with us today. The Marmon Wasp, and Ray Harroun's historic victory in it, forever changed the way we think about auto racing and inspired generations of drivers and engineers to push the boundaries of what is possible.

After its historic win, the Marmon Wasp was retired from racing and is now on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, where it serves as a reminder of the early days of American motorsports and the pioneering spirit of the Marmon Motor Car Company.

Today, the Marmon Wasp is a beloved and iconic vehicle, revered by racing enthusiasts and car collectors alike. It is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the human spirit, and a reminder of the incredible impact that one invention, one idea, or one victory can have on the world.