1919 Miller TNT Special at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

1A: 1955-61 Sports Racing cars under 2000cc

1B: Pre-1949 Sports and Racing Cars

2A: 1973-82 IMSA, GT, GTX, AAGT

2B: 1947-55 GT and Sports Racing under 2500cc

3A: 1955-61 Sports Racing over 2000cc

3B: 1947-55 Sport Racing & GT over 2500cc

4A: Bugatti Grand Prix

4B: 1955-62 GT

5A: 1964-69 FIA Mfg. Championship

5B: 1961-66 GT under 2500cc

6A: 1958-63 Formula Junior

6B: 1959-75 Grand National Stock Cars

7A: 1966-72 Trans-Am

7B: 1963-66 GT over 2500cc

7L: 1966-72 TransAm under 2-Liter

8A: 1970-76 FIA Mfg. Championship & IMSA GTP

8B: 1959-66 Sports Racing

9A: 1981-89 FIA Mfg.Championship & IMSA GTP

9B: 1966-83 F1

1B: Pre-1949 Sports and Racing Cars Vehicles

1914 Mercer 450

1915 Ford Old Number 4 Racer

1916 National Model AC

1919 Ford Model T

1919 Miller TNT Special

1922 Ford Model T

1924 Ford Frontenac

1925 Ford Frontenac Special

1926 Frazer Nash Nash Boulogne

1929 Ford Miller Schofield Special

1929 Lagonda 14/50 Two-Litre

1930 DuPont Indy Roadster

1930 Morgan Aero Super Sport

1931 Chrysler CD-8 Le Mans

1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300

1932 Studebaker Indy Racer

1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3

1934 Era R2A

1934 Morgan Super Sport

1935 Era B Type

1936 Austin Seven Special

1938 Sparks-Thorne Little 6

1939 BMW 328

1939 Lagonda V12 LeMans

Information on the 1919 Miller TNT Special

More photographs of the 1919 Miller TNT Special

Harry A. Miller was involved in a number of automotive firsts between 1900 and 1910. He rode as a riding mechanic in 1908 in the Vanderbilt Cup races on Long Island but this was his first and last venture in the cockpit of a race car due to disappointing results. He turned to engine design in the mid-1910s. In 1917 he designed a complete race car for Barney Oldfield. Called the Golden Submarine, it was an enclosed aerodynamic single seater with a high revving engine that went to 4,000 rpm - most unusual for a period when huge capacity, low revving engines were the norm.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Miller's cars dominated the Brickyard. Their Miller-powered cars won the American race eleven times between 1922 and 1938, with six of those cars utilizing Miller chassis as well.

In 1913, Miller hired Fred Offenhauser for a machining job. Over the years, the two individuals succeeded in bringing about some of early racing's greatest engines.

At the close of World War I, Miller received an inquired from Edward Maier. Maier's racing concern, the TNT Auto Company, was in need of a new car. Miller tasked his newly hired draftsman, Leo Goosen, to help in creating a new 183 cubic-inch four-cylinder motor that would later become Miller's first dual overhead-camshaft design. Two examples were created and both had an unusual chassis. Both were officially entered in the Indy 500, though neither TNT ever made it to the race, presumably withdrawn due to a lack of performance. Maier soon lost interest in the project and further development work on the TNT's was scrapped.

It is believed that only one of the two TNT models remain in existence. Throughout the 1920s, the TNTs were put into storage. It is believed that the car's original four-cylinder engines were donated by the Maier brewery for scrap purposes during WWII-era metal shortages.

This example was acquired by the Harrah Collection in the mid-1970s. In 1979 it was purchased sans motor by David Hedrick of Oregon. Hedrick and Bob Sutherland returned the TNT to racing by installed a proper Miller 183 eight-cylinder racing engine that Mr. Sutherland had been rebuilding. The brakes were upgraded to hydraulic units.

In 1983, the TNT was raced at the Monterey Historic Races. It raced at the Milwaukee Mile racetrack during the 1990s as well as a successful run of the Colorado Grand. In 2000, it was purchased by the current owner. At this point in history, the engine was in need of repair. The cost to do the work was great, so another correct Miller 183 was sourced. Since that time, the car has raced at the Monterey Historics and the Milwaukee Mile Miller event. It was shown at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours in the Open-Wheel Racecar Class.

The car is powered by a 183 cubic-inch dual overhead cam eight-cylinder Miller engine with four Miller Dual-Throat Updraft carburetors. The 125 horsepower produced from the motor is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual gearbox.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $900,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,210,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

Also photographed at :

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance >> Cars of Harry Miller

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance >> 1907-1930

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance >> Open Wheel Race Cars

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance >> 1904-1940 Sporting Cars

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance >> Paddock

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance >> Pre-1940 Sports & Touring Cars

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