August Duesenberg

AUGUST “AUGIE” DUESENBERG remained in the shadow of his older brother, Fred, for most of his career, but contributed his full share of ideas and effort to the development of the early Mason race cars. He also helped guide the splendid Duesenberg race cars to repeated victories for more than 20 years beginning in 1914. He was particularly interested in developing smaller racing engines and he ultimately assumed complete responsibility for Duesenberg’s racing activities as Fred devoted increasing attention to corporate affairs. Augie also designed and built the Duesenberg chassis into which a Cummins Diesel engine was installed by the Cummins Engine Company for the 1931 Indianapolis 500. Driver Dave Evans finished 13th in the Duesenberg/Cummins entry, becoming the first person to complete the 500 miles without a single pit stop.