155–250 bhp, 90.2 cu. in. DOHC 16-valve inline eight-cylinder engine with a supercharger and one updraft carburetor, three-speed Miller manual transmission, front-beam axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 100 in.
- Extremely rare original Miller 91 engine
- Original Miller 91 gearbox and rear end
- Exacting restoration of an exceptional build quality
- Cosmetic tribute to the 1927 Indianapolis-running Boyle Valve Special
- Awarded at the Pebble Beach and Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance
- Multi-time veteran of the Miller Meet in Milwaukee
- Well-known within the Miller enthusiast niche
The Miller 91 was a true tour de force of rear-wheel-drive racing technology. It was so successful and its domination on speedways of the 1920s was so complete, that it was effectively responsible for its own demise. The AAA’s rule change for 1930 to the “Junk Formula” was, in fact, adopted to stop the Miller 91’s seemingly unstoppable winning streak.
When the rule change that limited displacement to 1½ liters (91 cubic inches) was announced for the 1926 racing season, Harry Miller could have merely shortened the stroke of his nearly unbeatable 122-cubic inch engine and continued producing and selling the rear-drive race car that he first introduced in 1923. Instead, in typical fashion, Miller’s staff of extraordinarily talented men was assigned to design and build an entirely new car.
There was no commonality of parts between the Miller 91 and the preceding 122, except for externally sourced items, such as the wheels, tires, instruments, and electrical components. Yet, to the untrained eye, the 122 and 91 rear-drive cars were virtually identical in appearance, with the exception of the 91’s three-piece radiator and grille assembly. All of the new 91-cubic inch engines were supercharged, and at introduction, they developed 155 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. Extensive on-track development work resulted in refinements that eventually boosted output to well over 250 horsepower at 8,000 rpm.
Re-posted with permission from RM auctions
