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 |  | View more photos Victoria Coupe Coachwork: LeBaron Chassis Num: 16142767 |
This car has racked up numerous awards include an AACA National First Place, President's Cup at the National Fall Meet, and an award winner at Pebble Beach.
The car has a sporting appearance, thanks to its Victoria Coupe bodystyle. It is a practical car with plenty of interior room for occupants, accommodating up to four individuals, who will be treat to the finest of luxury and quality available to the era. The engine guarantee's smooth driving, quick acceleration, and superior performance to many other vehicles traveling the road of similar age.
This car was believed to have sold for a high bid of $250,000, but it went higher than that, selling for $302,500 including buyers premium.
 |  | View more photos 2-4 Passenger Rumble Seat Coupe Coachwork: LeBaron Chassis Num: 16141641 |
Marmon excelled on the racing circuit, but in the production world, his cars were not as successful. His Model 49, based on the long-tailed Marmon Wasp, carried a price tag of $5,000 and found only a few interested buyers. In 1916 the Model 34 was introduced which brought with it many new innovations and features such as an extensive use of aluminum. Its radiator, transmission, rear axle, body and fenders were created from this lightweight yet durable material. Sales were, again, slow.
During the First World War Marmon aided the wartime effort by creating around 5,000 Liberty aircraft engines. After the War, the company was in good financial shape, and production of the Model 34 resumed. Sales remained slow and soon came the economic post war recession which meant even more difficult times for Marmon. His brother resigned as president of the Company in 1924 and was replaced by George M. Williams. Williams vision for the company was to make a more affordable automobile that could appeal to a wider audience of buyers. The result was the Roosevelt model, featuring a straight-eight engine, and became the basis for the companies revitalization in the years to come. As the 1920s came to a close, the company was creating more than 20,000 cars per year.
With strong sales and sufficient financial resources, Marmon turned his talents and attention back to creating mechanically advanced automobiles. Working on his own, Marmon introduced one of the most magnificent and brilliant vehicles of the classic era's in 1931, the Marmon Sixteen.
The Sixteen was powered by an engine that displaced nearly 500 cubic-inches and fitted with state-of-the-art overhead valves. The cars effortless 100 mph speed was easily achieved thanks to the 200 horsepower all-aluminum engine and the lightweight components used throughout, including the aluminum chassis. It had tremendous power-to-weight ratio and could outpace the Duesenberg Model J, while costing about one-third the price.
The problem with the Marmon Sixteen was its timing, introduced during the Great Depression and beaten to the market by the Cadillac V16. Marmon quickly went the way of so many other luxury car marques of the same era - it was forced to go out of business.
This 1932 Marmon Sixteen 2-4 Passenger Rumble Seat Coupe was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $250,000 and offered without reserve. It sold for $242,000 including buyer's premium.
The bodies of the Marmon Sixteen were built by LeBaron with credit generally given to Walter Dorwin Teague Sr., though it was his son who sketched the lines and details. Walter Dorwin Teague Jr. was a student at MIT and a gifted designer. He designed a sleek and beautiful design that lacked gratuitous ornamentation which allowed the intrinsic beauty of the car's line and detail to been seen. The result was simple, yet undeniable, elegance.
There were just 390 examples of the Sixteen created with 22 being the two passenger coupes. Only six have survived to modern times, partly due to their aluminum bodies which tend to degrade quicker over time. The early portion of this vehicles history is unknown; by the 1960s it was part of the Harrah's Automobile collection in Reno, Nevada. In the early 1980s it was acquired by an Arizona enthusiast who treated the car to a thorough restoration, including a full rebuilt of the engine. In 1985 the car passed to another owner, who kept the car for many years before selling it to its current owner.
The car is painted in chocolate brown with tan two-tone sides, orange stripe, and tan Bedford Cord upholstery. It retains its original wire wheels and correct Marmon accessory chrome wheel discs.
| | View more photos Victoria Coupe Coachwork: LeBaron Chassis Num: 16142767 |
The 1931's cost $5,200 to $6,000, rising to $5,700 to $6,100 for 1932, then with the depression closing in, the price dropped to a range of $4,825 to $5,175 in 1933 when production plunged to 86 cars.
The company's last non-classics were made in 1932 with the Model 70 and Model 125. The bodies of the V-16's were built by LeBaron in Detroit. All of the chassis of the cars were tested at the Indianapolis Speedway before the bare chassis were sent to Detroit.
The gears could be downshifted from high to second at 80 mph without a gear clash, according to the company. The car was guaranteed to be able to reach 105 mph.
Some believe that fewer than 400 Marmon 16's may have been produced, but the actual number may have been larger. There were only small cosmetic changes in the 16 cylinder bodies from the first to last year of production.
 |  | View more photos Sedan |
The Marmon V-16 was introduced around the same time Cadillac introduced their V-16 powered automobile. In comparison, the Marmon built automobile was more powerful and an engineering marvel. By using aluminum, the 491 cubic-inch engine with its overhead values weighed just over 900 pounds. The engine was formed by merging twin-eight cylinder engines in a 45-degree angle, giving the engine an impressive look and an astonishing 200 horsepower. The use of steel cylinder sleeves added to the longevity and durability of the engine. The V-16 engine earned Howard Marmon the Society of Automotive Engineers annual design award.
The engine was an engineering marvel and the automobile was a work of art. The problem was the timing; introduced near the onset of the stock market crash and the crippling Great Depression. The most competitive market segment at this time was the upper, high priced vehicles. Packard, Auburn, Cadillac, to name a few, were produced exquisite automobiles and catering to the wealthy. The short list of buyers meant production was low and the profit margin was tight. To stay competitive the manufacturers needed to continue to introduce new products, designs, and innovative vehicles.
Cadillac and Marmon introduced their V-16 automobiles around the same time. The Great Depression meant there were few who could afford this five-thousand luxury automobile. The competition and the Depression resulted in fewer than four-hundred examples being produced. The Marmom Motor Car Company entered into receivership.
The Marmon V-16 was powered by a lightweight, powerful engine and decorated in luxurious amenities and modern designs. Its demise was a market that did not have the resources to sustain its production. With its low production figures, its exclusivity is guaranteed in modern times.
The engine was an engineering marvel and the automobile was a work of art. The problem was the timing; introduced near the onset of the stock market crash and the crippling Great Depression. The most competitive market segment at this time was the upper, high priced vehicles. Packard, Auburn, Cadillac, to name a few, were produced exquisite automobiles and catering to the wealthy. The short list of buyers meant production was low and the profit margin was tight. To stay competitive the manufacturers needed to continue to introduce new products, designs, and innovative vehicles.
Cadillac and Marmon introduced their V-16 automobiles around the same time. The Great Depression meant there were few who could afford this five-thousand luxury automobile. The competition and the Depression resulted in fewer than four-hundred examples being produced. The Marmom Motor Car Company entered into receivership.
The Marmon V-16 was powered by a lightweight, powerful engine and decorated in luxurious amenities and modern designs. Its demise was a market that did not have the resources to sustain its production. With its low production figures, its exclusivity is guaranteed in modern times.
1932 Marmon Sixteen |
|
| Year | 1932 |
| Make | Marmon |
| Model | Sixteen |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series | 1931 - 1933 |
| Coach Work | LeBaron |
| Price | $5,270.00 |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 16141641 |
| Chassis Number | 16142767 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | V |
| 45-degree | |
| Cylinders | 16 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 490.00 CU IN. | 8031.1 cc. | 8 L. |
| Valves | 32 valves. 2 valves per cylinder. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 200.00 HP (147.2 KW) @ 3400.00 RPM |
| HP / Liter | 25.0 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 6.00:1 |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| Block | Aluminum Alloy |
| Head | Aluminum Alloy |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Marmon History |
| Other models by Marmon |
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| 1932 Marmon models |
| HCM V12 |
| Sixteen Phantom Waterhouse |
| Other Model Years |
| 1933 Sixteen |
| 1932 Sixteen Phantom Waterhouse |
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