by Mike Gulett –
The Gooding auction in Scottsdale, Arizona is auctioning what is likely the most unique Offenhauser engine around.
In 1954 George Tilp commissioned this unique engine from Meyer & Drake to use in his Aston Martin DB2. It was also later used in his Ferrari Mondial.
It was acquired by my friend, Ron Kellogg, from Phil Hill in 1985 and in 2014 I tried to help Ron sell it here on My Car Quest. Unfortunately Ron passed away a few years ago and his family is now selling it at auction.
1954 Offenhauser 180 Racing Engine
Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000 | Without Reserve
– Previously Owned by Famed Racer Phil Hill
– Custom-Built for Gentleman Racer George Tilp
– Designed by Legendary Engineer Leo Goossen
– Once Installed in an Aston Martin DB2 and Ferrari Mondial
– Custom Display Stand Included
You can read more details in my write up from 2014 at this link.
George Tilp’s nephews, Geoffrey Horton and John Abruzzo, wrote a very interesting story for My Car Quest about their uncle that included some history of this one-of-a-kind Offenhauser engine. One important item they mention is that Phil Hill restored this engine for George Tilp and years later Hill wound up owning it. He sold the engine to Ron Kellogg in 1985.
Offenhauser Engine S/N 165 – photo by Mike Gulett
Below is a 1960 photo of Geoffrey Horton (a nephew of Tilp) sitting in the Ferrari Mondial powered by this Offenhauser engine. Notice the Bosch direct fuel injection system based on the Mercedes Benz 300SL sticking out from under the hood.
Geoffrey Horton in George Tilp’s Ferrari Mondial in 1960 – photo supplied by Geoffrey Horton
SOLD $60,480