Gil Andersen

Gilbert J. Andersen (born Gulbrand, November 27, 1879 – September 20, 1930) was an American racing driver active during the formative years of auto racing.

Biography

Andersen was born on November 27, 1879, in Horten, Vestfold county, Norway. Andersen and his family emigrated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1895, whereupon Andersen took the name Gilbert. He became a citizen of the United States in 1900. He married Elsie Olsen on March 3, 1909, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He competed in the first six Indianapolis 500 races, appearing in annual races from 1911 through 1916. On October 9, 1915, he set a new auto speed record of 102.6 mph, winning the first Astor Cup race at Sheepshead Bay. New York. In 1928, Andersen established a new American stock car speed record, when he clocked 106.52 mph in a Stutz Blackhawk on the measured mile at Daytona Beach, Florida.

Andersen worked as an engineer for the Stutz Motor Company. Stutz was in operation from 1911 and continued through 1935. He also was an engineer for the ReVere Motor Company, located in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.

Andersen died of pulmonary tuberculosis on September 20, 1930, in Logansport, Indiana, at age 50.

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