One of the all-time greats and 1922 winner of the Indianapolis 500. He was killed in an AAA National Championship race. One of the relatively few American's who went to race in Europe, he won the 1921 French Grand Prix, to become the first American to win an European Grand Prix. He also won frequently in America and his tally included eight wins at Beverly Hills alone. Murphy was the son of Irish immigrants. His mother died in the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, so Jimmy moved to Los Angeles to live with an uncle. Murphy then became a capable motorcyclist and mechanic, later joining Duesenberg as a riding mechanic to Eddie O'Donnell and Tommy Milton.

Biography last updated 24 Jan 2016