After having much success, he retired in 1940. Later, Harry Hartz had a serious automobile accident from which he never fully recovered. He died in Indianapolis, Indiana at age 78.
The end of a great racing career in 1940, however remained around the American auto racing industry for the next two decades. A great pioneer to US auto racing. 5/5 FORDROAD Australia
and set an economy record of 18.1 miles per US gallon (13.0 L/100 km; 21.7 mpg-imp), and without having to add water at any time during all of these performance runs. Another source credits him with driving the newly introduced DeSoto Airflow 3,114 miles (5,011 km) from New York to San Francisco, and averaging 21.4 mpg-US (11.0 L/100 km; 25.7 mpg-imp), with total fuel bill of US$33.06 for the run. A great effort and the price Coast to coast less that $35.00
Chrysler began using auto racing as a promotional tool to sell its cars. In 1933, DeSoto recruited Hartz for a publicity stunt by driving a car backwards across the country. During mid-August 1934, he set 72 new AAA stock car records at the Bonneville Salt Flats course in Utah in a Chrysler Imperial Airflow coupe. At the end of the month, Hartz drove the same car from Los Angeles to New York City. Part 3 next 5/5
Harry Hartz was born in Pomona, California, and grew up in the Los Angeles area. At age eighteen, he began to drive in support events for the car races of the time. He was a mechanic, but sought to be a race car driver and signed on with the Duesenberg brothers after World War I. Hartz made his debut at the 1921 Indianapolis 500 race as Eddie Hearne's riding mechanic.
The following year, Hartz was behind the wheel of the Duesenberg and finished in second place.
18 mpg was huge then, considering the weight and size of these beasts. I love how they always talk about economy back then with power second. It seems like maybe car companies are going back to that idea with some models.
FYI for all Airflow fans, RM Auctions is offering two rare examples of these remarkable Airflows at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event August 1 in Rochester, Michigan - the official kickoff to a month long series of celebrations honoring the great American automobile.
They're selling in Europe but with the price of diesel in the States it's hard to justify the retooling here. They'll be more prevalent as will advanced gasoline engines that get 20% better fuel economy and cost $1000 more than today's engines vs $3000 for a clean diesel or $4000 for a hybrid. The future will be a mix of powerplants including all electric. The real challenge will be in weaning people from driving which is the best way to cut emissions and oil dependence.
Funny.. because every car ended up look similar to this design eventually anyways.. Oh well.. Americans don't always know what's good for them anyways.. Like the new Ford Fiesta.. 65mpg but Ford won;t sell it here because US consumers rejected Deseil engines in the past! BS I say.. these are different times and at 65mpg US consumers would drive a vehicle powered by pig shit for that kind of economy!
A sweet ride.
Beowulfsonur 6 months ago
Part 4
After having much success, he retired in 1940. Later, Harry Hartz had a serious automobile accident from which he never fully recovered. He died in Indianapolis, Indiana at age 78.
The end of a great racing career in 1940, however remained around the American auto racing industry for the next two decades. A great pioneer to US auto racing. 5/5 FORDROAD Australia
fordroad 9 months ago 3
@fordroad Thanks for sharing this.
mrpitv 9 months ago
Part3
and set an economy record of 18.1 miles per US gallon (13.0 L/100 km; 21.7 mpg-imp), and without having to add water at any time during all of these performance runs. Another source credits him with driving the newly introduced DeSoto Airflow 3,114 miles (5,011 km) from New York to San Francisco, and averaging 21.4 mpg-US (11.0 L/100 km; 25.7 mpg-imp), with total fuel bill of US$33.06 for the run. A great effort and the price Coast to coast less that $35.00
5/5
fordroad 9 months ago 5
Part2
Chrysler began using auto racing as a promotional tool to sell its cars. In 1933, DeSoto recruited Hartz for a publicity stunt by driving a car backwards across the country. During mid-August 1934, he set 72 new AAA stock car records at the Bonneville Salt Flats course in Utah in a Chrysler Imperial Airflow coupe. At the end of the month, Hartz drove the same car from Los Angeles to New York City. Part 3 next 5/5
fordroad 9 months ago 3
Harry Hartz was born in Pomona, California, and grew up in the Los Angeles area. At age eighteen, he began to drive in support events for the car races of the time. He was a mechanic, but sought to be a race car driver and signed on with the Duesenberg brothers after World War I. Hartz made his debut at the 1921 Indianapolis 500 race as Eddie Hearne's riding mechanic.
The following year, Hartz was behind the wheel of the Duesenberg and finished in second place.
Part 2 to continue.
fordroad 9 months ago 3
That car was to far ahead of it's time, just like the Tucker.
iamzbacku 1 year ago
18 mpg was huge then, considering the weight and size of these beasts. I love how they always talk about economy back then with power second. It seems like maybe car companies are going back to that idea with some models.
gabbogabbo 1 year ago
These cars were made to perfection! Glorious days.
franklindavid 2 years ago
wow 35 bucks from coast to coast. It would cost 20 times that nowadays.
ninashtia 2 years ago
This car was rebirthed as the PT Cruiser, and my PT has been so good for its age of almost 10.
redneon06 2 years ago
lol, 18mpg highway was a big deal back then
bcarby 2 years ago
lol about 18MPG is what the PT cruisers get now with a 4 cylinder haha
Domman56 2 years ago
@Domman56 Yes and 1/3 the size and weight.
middsteve 1 year ago
@middsteve yeah exactly why this is so impressive
Domman56 1 year ago
FYI for all Airflow fans, RM Auctions is offering two rare examples of these remarkable Airflows at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event August 1 in Rochester, Michigan - the official kickoff to a month long series of celebrations honoring the great American automobile.
mrpitv 2 years ago 2
They're selling in Europe but with the price of diesel in the States it's hard to justify the retooling here. They'll be more prevalent as will advanced gasoline engines that get 20% better fuel economy and cost $1000 more than today's engines vs $3000 for a clean diesel or $4000 for a hybrid. The future will be a mix of powerplants including all electric. The real challenge will be in weaning people from driving which is the best way to cut emissions and oil dependence.
mrpitv 3 years ago
yeah i think so Nah gave me a weeks worth of lols
chick5581 3 years ago
Funny.. because every car ended up look similar to this design eventually anyways.. Oh well.. Americans don't always know what's good for them anyways.. Like the new Ford Fiesta.. 65mpg but Ford won;t sell it here because US consumers rejected Deseil engines in the past! BS I say.. these are different times and at 65mpg US consumers would drive a vehicle powered by pig shit for that kind of economy!
Mshine67 3 years ago
thank you.
mrpitv 3 years ago
Good!!!
machinaga1968 3 years ago