The Pacemaker at the Indianapolis 500 in 1920 was a bright yellow Marmon Model 34B Two-Passenger Speedster, the pride of Indianapolis’s most prestigious automaker, and among the most powerful, sportiest, best-engineered American automobiles available.

At the wheel was none other than Barney Oldfield, the charismatic legend of early racing, remembered as the first man to reach 60 mph on an oval track; as the driver of Henry Ford’s infamous 999; as the world land speed record holder behind the wheel of the “Blitzen Benz”; and as the winner of the first race held at Indianapolis in 1909.

No more appropriate Pacemaker driver could have been found, and he drove the car at a minimum of 80 mph; the polesitter, Ralph dePalma, reportedly commented afterward that the Pacesetter was the fastest automobile on the track.

Oldfield knew the advantage of publicity and, as the tale is told, recognized it in the yellow Marmon, a car built to draw attention.

Following the race, he acquired it for him...