This car was built for the 1931 Indianapolis 500 by chassis builder/fabricator Herman Rigling. Mr Rigling partner in design and construction was the famous mechanic, Cotton Henning. The Rigling-Henning Duesenberg used a special engine that was designed and built by Fred Duesenburg exclusively for racing. The engine was based on the Duesenburg Model A block.
In the 1931 Indy 500 the vehicle ws driven by Babe Strapp where he qualified sixth, averaging 110.1 MPH for four laps. He was running in third when an oil leak and clutch problem forced an early retirement from the event.
In the 1932 event the vehicle was named the “Duesenberg Special” and was piloted by L.L. Corum but he did not qualify. In the 1933 Indy 500, the car was named “The Jack O. Car Special” and was driven by Willard Prentiss, he qualified 40th at 107.8 MPH and finished 13th. The vehicle completed all 200 laps at an average speed of 95.6 MPH and was ahead of 5 other Duesenburg’s in the race.
The original design called for a four cylinder with 166 cubic inches, but was never successful. The car failed to qualify at Indianapolis, in 1920. The Owner Eddie Maier, a Los Angeles Brewer was embarrassed he put the car in storage at the brewery along with its failed engine. That engine was given to a wartime scrap drive and an unknown engine was fitted.
The car was purchased by Bob Sutherland and a Miller 183CID 8 cylinder installed in the 1980’s. This is one of only three Miller 18.3 engines existing. The TNT has been raced competitively since then and continues to compete at the annual Miller Club events in Milwaukee.
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