Fred Offenhauser
Encyclopedia
Fred Offenhauser was an automotive engineer and mechanic who designed the Offenhauser
racing engine, nicknamed the "Offy", which dominated competition in the Indianapolis 500
race for decades.
Frederick Offenhauser, Jr., was born November 11, 1888 in Los Angeles, California, the oldest child of Frederick and Martha Offenhauser. Both his parents were natives of Germany; his father was a barber. Frederick Jr. was married to Ethel C. Lowery. Offenhauser died August 17, 1973 in Los Angeles.
Offenhauser began working in the shop of Harry Arminius Miller
in 1913 at age 25, when the state of the art double overhead cam, four valve per cylinder Peugeot
Grand Prix
car, an engine design which would be contemporary even today, won the Indianapolis 500. Miller named Offenhauser the head of Miller's engine department in 1914. Bob Burma was campaigning the engine that year, but when World War I
made it impossible to get parts, Miller's shop got the job of maintaining it. The design so impressed Miller and Offenhauser that they designed an engine on largely similar principles.
In 1917, Offenhauser designed and built Barney Oldfield
's famous "Golden Submarine
".
In 1919, Leo Goossen joined Miller’s shop and Offenhauser became plant manager. Miller's company went bankrupt in 1933. Offenhauser bought the patterns and equipment from Miller, and began developing the engine with Goossen. The engine experienced great success at the Indianapolis 500
, with 24 victories in 27 years. Offenhauser himself was not frequently seen in Indianapolis.
In 1934, Offenhauser built his first 97 cubic inch engine for midget car racing
. The car won its first race in Curly Mills' car.
Offenhauser sold the business in 1946 to Louis Meyer
and Dale Drake. Meyer and Drake continued producing the motor using the Offenhauser name. Interment at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood California.
Offenhauser
Offenhauser was an American racing engine manufacturer that operated from 1933 to 1983.The Offenhauser engine, familiarly known as the "Offy", was developed by Fred Offenhauser and his employer Harry Arminius Miller, after maintaining and repairing a 1913 Peugeot Grand Prix car of the type which...
racing engine, nicknamed the "Offy", which dominated competition in the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
race for decades.
Frederick Offenhauser, Jr., was born November 11, 1888 in Los Angeles, California, the oldest child of Frederick and Martha Offenhauser. Both his parents were natives of Germany; his father was a barber. Frederick Jr. was married to Ethel C. Lowery. Offenhauser died August 17, 1973 in Los Angeles.
Offenhauser began working in the shop of Harry Arminius Miller
Harry Arminius Miller
Harry Arminius Miller was an influential and famous American race car builder, most active in the 1920s and 1930s...
in 1913 at age 25, when the state of the art double overhead cam, four valve per cylinder Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
Grand Prix
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
car, an engine design which would be contemporary even today, won the Indianapolis 500. Miller named Offenhauser the head of Miller's engine department in 1914. Bob Burma was campaigning the engine that year, but when World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
made it impossible to get parts, Miller's shop got the job of maintaining it. The design so impressed Miller and Offenhauser that they designed an engine on largely similar principles.
In 1917, Offenhauser designed and built Barney Oldfield
Barney Oldfield
Berna Eli "Barney" Oldfield was an automobile racer and pioneer. He was born on a farm on the outskirts of Wauseon, Ohio. He was the first man to drive a car at 60 miles per hour on an oval...
's famous "Golden Submarine
Golden Submarine
The Golden Submarine was an early twentieth century streamlined race car designed and built in 1917 by Fred Offenhauser and Harry A. Miller for Barney Oldfield...
".
In 1919, Leo Goossen joined Miller’s shop and Offenhauser became plant manager. Miller's company went bankrupt in 1933. Offenhauser bought the patterns and equipment from Miller, and began developing the engine with Goossen. The engine experienced great success at the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
, with 24 victories in 27 years. Offenhauser himself was not frequently seen in Indianapolis.
In 1934, Offenhauser built his first 97 cubic inch engine for midget car racing
Midget car racing
Midget cars, also Speedcars in Australia, are very small race cars with a very high power-to-weight ratio and typically use four-cylinder engines.-Cars:Typically, these cars have 300 to 400 horsepower and weigh...
. The car won its first race in Curly Mills' car.
Offenhauser sold the business in 1946 to Louis Meyer
Louis Meyer
Louis Meyer was an American Hall of Fame race car driver best known as the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500....
and Dale Drake. Meyer and Drake continued producing the motor using the Offenhauser name. Interment at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood California.
Awards
- In 2001 he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of FameInternational Motorsports Hall of FameThe International Motorsports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame dedicated to enshrining those who have contributed the most to auto racing either as a driver, owner, developer or engineer...
. - In 1994 he was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of FameNational Sprint Car Hall of Fame & MuseumThe National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum is a Hall of Fame and museum for sprint car drivers, owners, mechanics, builders, manufacturers, promoters, sanctioning officials and media members....
. - He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of AmericaMotorsports Hall of Fame of AmericaThe Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum for American motorsports legends. It was originally located in Novi, Michigan and it moved to the Detroit Science Center in 2009.-Museum:...
in 2002. - He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of FameNational Midget Auto Racing Hall of FameThe National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame and museum for midget cars. The Hall of Fame is located at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and can be accessed during weekly Sunday races during the summer.-A-C:...
in 1999.