1929 DuPont Model G 2-Place Merrimac

Eleven speedsters were built and three had rear-mounted spares with the top exposed in the down (stored) position. This car, number 949, was one of these and the only one featuring a fold-down windshield and exposed vertical center bar grille. The original owner was Charles Hirshorn, a New York manufacturer and inventor of the paper tea bag. Interesting features include: eight-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed transmission, four-wheel Lockheed hydraulic brakes, one-piece cast aluminum grille/radiator shell assembly cast aluminum dash, all-aluminum body and fenders, one of two built with a rumble seat and partial belly pans covering chassis frame and springs with a sinewy one-piece fender flowing the full length of the car. Several duPont Speedsters had a cannon radiator cap ornament, reflecting the family's gunpowder connection. This car's mascot radiator cap is unique and was commissioned from the Paris office of Cartier. This particular radiator cap was bought early on from another duPont owner, FAO Schwartz, principal of the large New York City toy store.