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Self-Guided Audio Tour of Indianapolis

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Indianapolis represents a wealth of automotive innovations and history. Today many of the buildings that once housed Indianapolis' auto manufacturing industry and its pioneers still stand. Some of these buildings are well-maintained or have refurbished exteriors. Others may be in disrepair, but still offer a fascinating glimpse of many renowned names.

• Indianapolis was a commercial producer of automobiles and taxicabs from 1896 to 1937. The Circle City with 65 different vehicles manufactured here ranked second to Cleveland, with 82, as Detroit's chief rival for the title of the nation's auto capital.
• Renowned Indianapolis makes include American Underslung, Cole, Duesenberg, Empire, Lafayette, Marmon, National, Overland, Pathfinder, Premier, Roosevelt, Stutz, and Waverley Electric.
• Indianapolis automotive pioneers contributed such innovations as pressure lubrication, overhead camshafts, hydraulic brakes, centrifugal supercharged engines, safety-glass windshields, factory-installed radios, and the extensive use of aluminum in engines.
• Until 1905 Indianapolis contained more auto plants than did any city in Michigan.
• The Indianapolis Motor Speedway built in 1909 was the birthplace for many engineering improvements and played an important part in the development process for Indianapolis makers as well as other autos.

This self-guided tour is about 23 miles long and approximately 50 minutes travel time. Travel time excludes a lengthy stop at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (on track 11). The audio portion of the tour is approximately 30 minutes total for 23 sites.

Sites include: Old Trails Building, Duesenberg Motors Co., Marmon Buildings, Diamond Chain, Cole Motor Car Co. Ford Motor Co. Assembly Branch, James A. Allison Mansion, Carl G. Fisher Mansion, Wheeler/Stokely Mansion, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, Marion/Overland/Empire/Elgin Building. H.C.S. Motor Co., Ideal Motor Car Co., Stutz Motor Car Co., Lexington Motor Sales Co., Buick Showroom, Frank Hatfield Ford, William Small Co., Indiana Automobile College, Gibson Co. Building, Monument Circle, and the National Road Monuments @ State House.

Back to: Indiana Auto Tours