Gail Lower

c1905 - 1937

This photo of Gail Lower in the #404 Merkler Hisso was taken at V.F.W. Speedway in Detroit, Michigan in 1936.  The car number was changed from #40 to #404 after Frank Merkler learned there was another car already using the #40.  Lower went on to finish third in the CSRA season points that year.  Note that car owner Frank Merkler had tied his daughter’s baby shoes to the radiator.  Was that to help knock the mud off or just from his being a proud father?  This car was sold to Tommy Kristin the early 1940s.  After Kristin’s death in World War II, the car was purchased by Bayliss Levrett – Boyer photo from the Lewis collection

Gail Lower is in the #404 Merkler Hisso.  The men standing are, left to right: George Merkler, Clarence Delagrange wearing the cap, and Frank Merkler – Jeff Adams collection

Gail Lower in the #404 Merkler Hisso is at left in this photo taken at Jungle Park north of Rockville, Indiana – Jeff Adams collection

Hisso engine and the transmission from an early Merkler car – Merkler family collection