THE "OFFIE"
John Bentley
October 25, 1954
Built by the Meyer & Drake Engineering Corp. in Los Angeles, the Offenhauser engine has dominated U.S. professional racing for some 15 years. Its origin was a four-cylinder, 255-cu.-in. engine built by Harry Miller for a private customer in the 20s. Fred Offenhauser acquired Miller's company in the 30s, enlarged the engine to 270 cu. in. and sold out to former Indianapolis champion Lou Meyer and engine expert Dale Drake in 1946. Today, besides the big car size, the "Offie" is built with 220-cu.-in. displacement and as a midget engine. Cost of standard Indianapolis-type engine: $6,351.23.
Built by the Meyer & Drake Engineering Corp. in Los Angeles, the Offenhauser engine has dominated U.S. professional racing for some 15 years. Its origin was a four-cylinder, 255-cu.-in. engine built by Harry Miller for a private customer in the 20s. Fred Offenhauser acquired Miller's company in the 30s, enlarged the engine to 270 cu. in. and sold out to former Indianapolis champion Lou Meyer and engine expert Dale Drake in 1946. Today, besides the big car size, the "Offie" is built with 220-cu.-in. displacement and as a midget engine. Cost of standard Indianapolis-type engine: $6,351.23.
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