1923 Miller 122 HCS Special

For the 1923 Indianapolis 500, a 2-liter engine size was implemented. Harry A. Miller fitted a new engine into a new chassis developed from his successful Miller 183. The 4-cylinder engine used a double-overhead camshaft setup which was developed from the 1913 Peugeot Grand Prix car. The 122 was designed by Leo Goossen and Harry Miller and was built in aluminum, bronze, and steel from Miller's own foundry - run by Fred Offenhauser - making it quite expensive. In total, around 15 Miller 122s were built, including three that were sent to Europe to race in the Grand Prix season. A total of seven 122s were prepared for the 1923 Indianapolis 500, including this winning car that was driven by Tommy Milton, who was sponsored by the Harry C. Stutz Motor Company.

The Miller HCS Special was commissioned by Harry C. Stutz and built by Harry A. Miller in Los Angeles, CA, in 1922. Cars built by Miller won the Indianapolis 500 nine times; three more won with his engines running in other chassis. Miller cars accounted for more than 83 percent of the Indy 500 fields between 1923 and 1928.

This car raced at Indianapolis three times, most notably in 1923 when Tommy Milton piloted it to victory with a qualifying speed of 108.170 mph. Milton led the race for 128 of the 200 laps. It finished 5th in 1925 and 21st in 1924 when fuel tank problems forced Milton out after 110 laps.

This is the first Miller 122 ever built. It was one of two 122s belonging to Tommy Milton and was built to his specifications in 1922. There were seven low radiator narrow chassis built by Harry Miller, and this is the only one surviving in its original configuration.

Milton also broke the World Record for a one-mile dirt surface track at Syracuse, New York, with a time of 42.28 seconds.

This Miller 122 HCS Special is the only survivor of four similar Miller Specials built. It was restored in 2011 and was acquired by its current owner the following year.