PAFW Puzzle #1908 - Tom Davis' Olds-powered, Miller-Chassis, Ford-body Car

[Otto Puzzell]

Santa's offering two points for finishing this one off.

[Otto Puzzell]

Today only (13 February), three points on offer for the solution.

[Otto Puzzell]

So, it's a Miller race car later converted for road use.  Is it one of the Miller-Fords?

Not one of those. Not Ford-powered

I feel I must clarify: This car did race at Indy, and it does have modified Ford body. However, this Ford body was added after its racing career ended.

[Otto Puzzell]

I suspect this car remained unfinished for about 4 years, after this picture was taken.

[RayTheRat]

This looks very much like the 1934 Ford 'Fuesenberg' roadster with Duesenberg straight-8 motor built by the Ullrich brothers.  I can't tell if it's a Miller chassis, but the front axle, shocks and a lotta other stuff sure looks similar.

So to answer the question, it WAS a 34 Ford Roadster on top and apparently a Miller sprint car underneath.  It was in the process of becoming the Fuesenberg or Ullrich Roadster and as stated above, created by Hal and Bill Ullrich.

[Otto Puzzell]

No connection the the Ullrich family, to my knowledge. The engine is from a less glamorous brand than Duesenberg

[Otto Puzzell]

I don't think builder the paid a king's ransom for this engine. I do not know if it was sourced from his father's car.

[RayTheRat]

Is Ak Miller involved in this?

[Otto Puzzell]

Not that I know of, but I can't rule it out.

[Otto Puzzell]

I don't think builder the paid a king's ransom for this engine. I do not know if it was sourced from his father's car.

[Tom_I]

So it's an Oldsmobile engine?

[Otto Puzzell]

Yes! 

[pnegyesi]

Was this created in the US of A?

[Otto Puzzell]

Was this created in the US of A?

Yep

[D-type]

I suspect this car remained unfinished for about 4 years, after this picture was taken.

Was the photo takenin 1941 and the car not finished until 1945 because more important things were happening?

[Otto Puzzell]

Possibly - I don't know

[Otto Puzzell]

The builder of this car shares his name with a dead comedian and comedy writer, a Mohawk chief, and a former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder.

[sixtee5cuda]

Was the builder named Hendrick?

[Otto Puzzell]

Was the builder named Hendrick?

No

[Wendax]

Johnson?

[Otto Puzzell]

Not Johnson

[RayTheRat]

Brant?

[Otto Puzzell]

No sir.

[RayTheRat]

Is the shared name a surname of all those mentioned in the clue?

[Otto Puzzell]

Is the shared name a surname of all those mentioned in the clue?

Yes!