1911 Marmon Wasp

May 30, 1911, marked the largest racing purse to ever be offered to that date, $27,550, and drew 46 entries from the United States and Europe, of which 40 qualified by sustaining 75 miles per hour for a quarter-mile distance. Weight was limited to 2300 lbs and a maximum engine displacement of 600 cubic inches (9.83-liters).

Ray Harroun won the First Indianapolis 500 race driving this 6-cylinder Marmon Wasp. Ray started in the 28th position and ran the car at an average speed of 74.602 miles per hour. Ray's Success was attributed to the car being the first single-passenger race car and also the first vehicle of any type fitted with a rearview mirror.

Harroun drove the Marmon Wasp again 50 years later at the age of 79 for the 50th anniversary of the Indianapolis circuit in 1961.

Harroun drove the Marmon, which was built in Indianapolis, without the assistance of a riding mechanic, and he was the only driver to do so in the race. When some of his rivals objected, claiming he would be a hazard on the course because he might not be aware of cars overtaking him, he built and installed what many authorities believed to be the first rear-view mirror ever used on an automobile.