It Started with the Greatest Race.
In 1911, the Marmon Motor Company roared onto the world stage with the groundbreaking Marmon Wasp winning the inaugural Indianapolis 500.
With its distinct color scheme and tail shape, as well as the crucial innovation of the rearview mirror, the Wasp secured its place in racing history along with Marmon driver Ray Harroun and his team.
Putting the Competition in the Rear View.
Marmon defied racing norms by crafting a single-seater car, shedding the weight of the engineer for enhanced speed and aerodynamics. To address safety concerns, Harroun ingeniously added the first known rearview mirror in automotive history.
Another pivotal factor was Marmon’s tire strategy. Blown tires wasted precious seconds, so their engineers opted for a slower but safer pace. The result? The Wasp made four pit stops with zero blowouts, unlike their second-place competitor that needed fourteen tires changed.
Building on Our Heritage.
We completed an ambitious project that built on Marmon’s rich history of innovation: building a replica of the 1911 Marmon Wasp to carry its groundbreaking spirit into the present—and future.
This exciting endeavor in rebuilding history was brought to life by our diverse team of Marmon Wasp Engineers, who were chosen for their unique backgrounds and skills, and each representing a different Marmon business.
Driving Innovation Forward.
Today, Marmon Holdings, Inc. remains a beacon of growth and innovation, building upon the Wasp’s innovative heritage of over a century.
The winning spirit first exemplified by Ray Harroun’s Indianapolis 500 victory continues across Marmon to this day. The businesses within our 11 industry groups collaborate and strive to deliver innovative, cutting-edge solutions to their valued customers across the world.
Latest Stories on the Marmon Wasp
Discover the legacy of the Marmon Wasp with the latest news and updates about the historic car and its story of innovation.
Victory Lap
The Marmon Wasp Engineers headed back to Chattanooga, Tennessee, exactly one year after they kicked off the project to build a Marmon Wasp replica, to see the finished car and take it for a spin! The building of a replica of the car that won the first Indianapolis 500...
Our Replica Marmon Wasp is Complete!
Automotive legend Corky Coker has long admired the Marmon Wasp, winner of the first-ever Indianapolis 500 and the symbol of our company’s long history of innovation. In fact, Corky completed his own replica Marmon Wasp in 2011! We knew he would be the perfect person...
Celebrating Marmon’s History of Innovation at the Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500 is approaching fast, and if you know anything about Marmon’s history, you’ll know that the race holds a special place in our hearts. For us, the Indy 500 is a symbol and a reminder of what’s possible when you have the courage to think outside the...