1928 DuPont Model G

In the spring of 1928, duPont Motors announced that it would start producing a new model. The Model G was offered in eight different body styles and was priced starting at $4,300. All of the Model G bodies were hand-built using white ash frames covered with aluminum panels. The new Modell G featured Continental's new 8-cylinder engine, producing an impressive 125 horsepower. Chassis features included a Warner 3-speed transmission, hydraulic shock absorbers, and Belflex spring shackles that gave a very smooth ride.

This is the first Model G to be built and it has a 5-passenger Phaeton body built by the Merrimac Body Company of Massachusetts. Of the 22 Model G Phaetons produced, only three are known to exist today.

The duPont Company is a well-known name in many households for their production of numerous products throughout the years. The company was formed in 1802 and based in Wilmington, Delaware where they produced gunpowder. From there, they expanded in many facets of the industry, dealing heavily in chemical and consumer products. However, their production of automobiles is not widely known as production was limited and catered only to the wealthiest of clients. From 1920 through 1923 Pierre duPont was the president of General Motors, who had taken over the duties of founder William Durant.

The duPont Motor Company was formed by E. Paul duPont during the First World War. During World War I, they produced marine engines in support of the war efforts. At the conclusion of the war, they switched to automotive engine production. Having solid financial stability, the company was able to hire the best and the brightest individuals to engineer some of the most advanced engines and technology of the era.

In 1919, duPont Motors introduced their Model A at the International Salon in New York's Commodore Hotel. This event was not open to the public; it was an invitation-only affair that collected some of the most prominent consumers and introduced them to the fine coachwork.

In 1923, duPont introduced the Model C, which was followed by the Model D, and then the Model E in 1927. The Model F was next, but only three were ever produced. They were similar to the Model E but rested on a slightly larger wheelbase.

In 1928, duPont introduced their first eight-cylinder engine and their Model G. The Continental engine displaced 5.3 liters and produced 125 horsepower. The Model G was available as a phaeton, coupe, sedan, Victoria, limousine, sport, and convertible. Coachbuilders were given the opportunity to create elegant bodies for these ultra-luxury vehicles, such as Merrimac, Derham, and Waterhouse. The cost to own one was between $4,360 and $6,125 depending on coachwork and configuration.

A few duPonts were even used in racing, though they picked the world's greatest stages to showcase their talents. Their initial example to enter the LeMans was declined since rules stated that four seats were required. In response, two four-passenger speedsters were created, one was ready in time for the race. The car ran strong until it was forced to retire prematurely from the 24-Hour race. In 1930 a duPont entered the Indianapolis 500. The car raced for 22 laps before swerving to avoid a pile-up and running into a wall.

The Model H was introduced in 1930 and produced until 1931. Only three examples were ever created. They rested on a long 12-feet, 2-inch wheelbase - one example was named the 'Most Elegant Open Car' at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Production continued until 1931 with a total of 537 duPont vehicles being produced.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2012

The duPont Model A debuted at the 1919 International Salon at New York's Commodore Hotel. It features a duPont engine which was cast en block L-head four-cylinder unit that displaces 250 cubic inches. A total of three body styles were offered including a four-passenger touring, a two-passenger roadster, and a four-passenger sedan. It had a wheelbase that measured 124 inches and the price range was from $4,000 to $5,6000. In the late 1910s, this was a very steep price tag.

The Model B was introduced shortly after the model and the changes were minor, mostly in cooling. The total production of the Model A and B cars during the first five years was only 118 models. Quality was high and the hand assembly and high level of craftsmanship were slow and meticulous.

In 1923 the Model C was introduced using the Model B chassis and powered by an L-head Herschell-Spillman six-cylinder engine that displaces 287 cubic inches and produced 64 horsepower. The two-passenger roadster and five-passenger touring each sold for $2,090 which was a significant price decrease over the prior models. The most expensive Model C was the Suburban sedan or five-passenger touring sedan, each selling for $3,085. A total of 47 examples were built during a 16-month period.

Paul duPont began experimenting with superchargers. They offered many benefits but also had their share of drawbacks. One was the excessive amounts of noise, cooling issues, and lubrication problems of the centrifugal supercharger. duPonts solution was to run the engine at half speed and force pure air straight into the combustion chamber at the bottom of the intake stroke. To compensate for the additional air, the carburetor mixture was set richer. Sadly, the system was unsuccessful and only one example was ever created on the Model E chassis.

The Model E was produced in 1927 and 1928. They rode on a wheelbase that measured 125 inches and was offered in five body styles with price tags that ranged from $2,800 to $3,400. A total of 60 were created which was very impressive for duPont, with nearly a fifth of them being exported.

There were only three examples of the Model F created. Each rode on a very long, 136-inch wheelbase.

Probably the most memorable of all duPonts were the Model G's, introduced in late 1928. Power was from an eight-cylinder L-head Continental 12-K engine that displaces 322 cubic inches. It had an aluminum cover over the distributor, spark plugs, and wiring which made it waterproof and gave it the allusion of having overhead valves. The 125-horsepower engine rested in a wheelbase that measured up to 141 inches. The price of ownership included hydraulic shock absorbers and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The sticker price ranged from #4,360 to $5,750 and buyers were able to select from twelve body styles which included roadsters to town cars. Most were bodied by Merrimac Body Company.

The Merrimac Body Company was established by Stanley Judkins, son of John Judkin's of the J.B. Judkins Company who were famous for their bodying of Lincolns and Packard's, among others. Both were located in Merrimac, Massachusetts, along with around 40 other custom coachbuilders. This Mecca location attracted the most influential and prominent buyers from around the world who would come to see the new designs and creations.

The Merrimac Body Company was initially created to aid Judkins in creating vehicles, as Judkins was backlogged by numerous orders for their work. Merrimac's largest customer became Rolls-Royce of America in Springfield, though they bodied other marques such as Lincoln, Locomobile, Franklin, and Packard. Their legacy resides with the work they did for duPont and the sensational Model G Speedsters.

There were gently sweeping fenders, a bull-nose grille, and other unique and distinctive trademarks. The first individual to purchase the Model G Speedster was Mary Pickford for her husband Douglas Fairbanks.

duPont's New York distributor was A.J. Miranda, who also handled the Delage and Maybach vehicles. After seeing the Speedster, it conjured up an idea to enter it in the 24 Hours of LeMans race. The problem being was that the rules required a four-seat body. A pair of cars were ordered in the proper configuration for the race. One of the cars was driven by Miranda and Charles Moran Jr., and the other was to be driven by Major Sidney Cotton and his wife. Cotton was the Australian distributor. Sadly, the Cotton car was damaged prior to shipment and did not make the race. The Miranda car weighed 4,500 pounds and produced 140 horsepower. Unfortunately, the duPont retired prematurely from the race due to mechanical problems.

Around 15 examples of the four-passenger Speedster were created in three different configurations. The list includes six with an exposed trunk, at least one had a sloping back with a compartment inside, and the remaining vehicles had a pointed boat tail rear end. Most had doors only on the passenger side.

In 1930 the Model H was introduced, which was basically a Model G but with a longer Stearns-Knight wheelbase that measured 146 inches. A total of three were built consisting of two-car and two-sport models. The sports chassis were later bodied as a sport phaeton and a closed-coupled sedan by Dietrich. The other received a formal Berline body and a flat radiator.

With the Great Depression in full swing, the list of potential clients dwindled. The competition for the luxury car segment was at a pinnacle and Paul duPont decided to suspend production until the economy was more stable. Sadly, the duPont marque never resumed automobile production.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007