Living in an age of more robust machines and concern for safety, it is hard not to look at this racing car and imagine that you are looking at a child's toy made life-size. Were sportsmen more innocent or more courageous to go nearly 100 mph in such a fragile-looking contraption? Who would do it today?

[Some of these cars went a lot faster than 100 mph. The average speed for the top finishers in this race was 103. - Dave]

DePalma was born in Italy and immigrated to the U.S. before the turn of the century. In 1912 and 1914 he was recognized as the AAA National Champion and in 1929 as the Canadian Champion. As late as 1936 he was still setting records in stock cars. His career victory total of 24 championship race wins still ranks high on the all-time list and came in a combination of road and course, dirt track, board track and oval track competition. He also competed successfully in Europe and helped design the Packard V-12, which he drove to a land speed record of 149.87 mph at Daytona Beach in 1919.

but this shot reminded me of it.

"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.”

DePalma is one of the great legends of Indianapolis, right up there with Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt.

They had a different attitude toward risk in those days, letting it all hang out in an open roadster on natural-rubber tires and sitting in front of a large gas tank at speeds approaching 100 mph.

These large-format glass negatives continue to impress me, you can pick out impressive amounts of detail, everything from the spilled top-off oil on the frame, to the retaining screws for the clincher rims, to those fascinating ventilated drum brakes, is crystal clear.

Thanks Dave, now I'll be daydreaming all morning!