Thunder at Sunrise
A History of the Vanderbilt Cup, the Grand Prize and the Indianapolis 500, 1904–1916
$39.95
In stock
About the Book
Concentrating on the years between 1904 and 1916 and featuring a wealth of photographs, this book examines America’s first three races of international stature: the Vanderbilt Cup, the International Grand Prize and the Indianapolis 500. Researched in great part from contemporary sources such as newspaper accounts and automotive journals, the book covers not only these races, but also the ways in which each spurred development of the American automobile industry, making it at last a true competitor for that of Europe.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
John M. Burns
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 279
Bibliographic Info: 140 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013 [2006]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7712-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0699-6
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Preface 1
Introduction 5
1. A Cloud of Dust 7
2. The Invasion of Nassau County 18
3. Devil-Wagon Holiday 39
4. A Miracle That Hundreds Weren’t Killed 54
5. An Appian Way for the Motorist 70
6. Once a Year I See the Sun Rise 75
7. Showdown at Savannah 83
8. The Predictions of an Invisible Man 89
9. Last Dance on Long Island 98
10. The Young Master 109
11. Mr. Harroun Was a Fine Gentleman 116
12. You Would Have Weeped Today 128
13. Oh Boy! Let Her Ride 135
14. Dago Luck (Part One) 142
15. Dago Luck (Part Two) 152
16. Dago Luck (Part Three) 161
17. The Reason for Multiple Valves 166
18. My All-Time Thrill 187
19. A Triumph of American Grit 193
20. A Bad Day for America 198
21. As Dangerous a Drive as Has Ever Been Seen 211
22. The Most Remarkable Performance 219
23. The World’s Best Race 223
24. Dago Luck Revisited 230
25. Return to Santa Monica 238
26. Winners and Losers 243
27. Epilogue 248
Chapter Notes 257
Bibliography 261
Index 265
Book Reviews & Awards
- Winner, Thomas McKean Memorial Cup—Antique Automobile Club of America
- “Thoroughly researched”—Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car
