Louis Disbrow
American racing driver (1876–1939)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louis Arthur Disbrow (September 23, 1876 – July 9, 1939) was an American racing driver.
September 23, 1876
(Merrimack Valley)
(Oklahoma City)
| Louis Disbrow | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Disbrow at the 1911 Indianapolis 500 | |||||||
| Born | Louis Arthur Disbrow September 23, 1876 Queens, New York, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | July 9, 1939 (aged 62) | ||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 19 races run over 7 years | |||||||
| First race | 1909 Merrimack Valley Trophy (Merrimack Valley) | ||||||
| Last race | 1915 Southern Sweepstakes (Oklahoma City) | ||||||
| First win | 1911 Jacksonville 100 (Pablo Beach) | ||||||
| Last win | 1913 Galveston 100 #3 (Galveston) | ||||||
| |||||||
Early life
Disbrow was born on September 23, 1876, in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. He came from a wealthy family.[1]
Murder Trial
Disbrow was indicted for the 1902 murders of Sarah "Dimples" Lawrence and Clarence Foster in Good Ground, but found not guilty at trial in 1903. He was then hired by a neighbouring family as a chauffeur mechanic for Joan Newton Cuneo, one of the United States' first woman racing drivers.[1]
Racing Career
Disbrow raced in the first four Indianapolis 500s, with a best finish of 8th in 1913, and also in the 1910, 1911, and 1915 American Grand Prizes.[2] He would have greater success in dirt track racing later in his career.[3]
Automotive Business Ventures
By 1917, Louis Disbrow would head Disbrow Motors Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. The marque's first car would be the Disbrow Special, powered by a Wisconsin engine.[4] He would also sell spark plugs under the Disbrow Manufacturing Co. name.
Later Life and Death
In 1925, an accident resulted in Louis Disbrow breaking both legs and being pronounced dead. But he regained consciousness by the time he was taken to a morgue. He would later die in earnest on July 9, 1939, at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[5]
