Sammy Miller (engineer)

Summary

Sammy Miller (nicknamed "Slam'n Sammy") (born Samuel Anthony Miller; April 15, 1945 – October 29, 2002) was a dragster and funny car builder in the 1970s and 1980s.[1][2]

Sammy Miller
Born
Samuel Anthony Miller

(1945-04-15)April 15, 1945
DiedOctober 29, 2002(2002-10-29) (aged 57)
Texas, U.S.
Resting placeGate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum, East Hanover, Morris, New Jersey

Miller was responsible for the "Miller Wedge" digger in 1974 and the rocket-powered Vanishing Point Vega FC in the 1980s.[3]

The Wedge was allegedly a product of Miller's dislike of repeated funny car fires. It featured bicycle front wheels, a low-mounted, front-sloping rear wing, and a mid-mounted engine (placed further ahead of the rear axle than most similar dragsters).[4]

Miller was killed in an accident on Tuesday 29th October 2002 whilst working in the Texas oilfields for his company Applied Force.

Notes edit

  1. ^ Taylor, Thom. Slam'n Sammy Miller Wedge, in "Beauty Beyond the Twilight Zone", p.38.
  2. ^ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CK32-MW3Z : 24 August 2022), Slam'n Sammy Miller, ; Burial, East Hanover, Morris, New Jersey, United States of America, Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum; citing record ID 207308472, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
  3. ^ Taylor, p.38.
  4. ^ Taylor, p.38 photo.

Fastest quarter mile run ever. 3.22 @402 mph

Sources edit

  • Taylor, Thom. "Beauty Beyond the Twilight Zone" in Hot Rod, April 2017, pp. 30–43.