1925 Marmon Model D-74

Sedan Limousine Deluxe

Built in Indianapolis, Indiana, Marmon was known as a luxury car manufacturer. Marmon is best known for having the winning race car in the 1911 Indianapolis 500 Race. Marmon manufactured automobiles from 1903 and was a victim of the economy, closing its doors in 1933. Their slogan in 1924 was 'It's a Great Automobile.'

Production for 1925 was 4,160 units though it is believed that less than 100 were of this body styling featuring a unique three-panel windshield.

This Marmon has an inline six-cylinder engine with 350 cubic-inch, 74 horsepower (thus model D-74), and overhead valves. The cost new was a pricy $3,900.

Phaeton

In 1925 Marmon went from the Model 34 to the new 74, named for the higher 74 horsepower. During 1925 and 1926, Marmon produced 120 Five Passenger Phaetons, this is the last surviving example. This car was purchased new in 1926 by Cebert Holmes, who owned department stores in California and had already purchased a new 1925 Marmon Sedan a year earlier. Both cars were passed to Cebert Holmes, Jr. who also accumulated other classics. It was rarely seen and likely never left California because it had suffered a severe transmission failure decades ago and sat in a separate building on the Holmes estate. After the death of Cebert Holmes, Jr., at the age of 91, the current owners became only the second family to care for it. Before the dealer had originally sold this car, it was used on a beach club photo shoot in Santa Monica, California with swimsuit models.

Marmon produced several body styles, and in 1925 and 1926, and this is the only known surviving example of the type.

The Marmon Motor Car Company traces its roots to 1852 when the original company produced flour mill grinding equipment. They began producing cars featuring air-cooled engines in 1902. Although their automobile production fell victim to the Great Depression, the company continued manufacturing automobile parts. They remain in business and the corporation is currently owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

Marmon is credited with introducing the rear-view mirror and known for their extensive use of aluminum in various components. The inaugural Indianapolis 500 was won by a Marmon Wasp in 1911.

Roadster
Chassis number: D25017

This Marmon D-74 Roadster rested on a 136-inch wheelbase and rides on Silvertown tires on twenty-inch wooden artillery wheels. It was given a high-quality restoration and its aluminum body was finished in the color scheme of two-tone green with orange highlights. There are twin rear-mounted spare wheels and minimal adornment. Accessories include a Moto-Meter, dual cowl lamps, and beveled-glass wind wings. The interior is upholstered in natural-finish leather with a complementary brown Haartz canvas.

A 340 cubic-inch overhead valve six-cylinder engine provides the power.

by Dan Vaughan

The Marmon brand name was manufactured by Nordyke & Marmon Company, located in Indianapolis, Indiana and produced automobiles from 1903 through 1933. The Marmon automobiles are most remembered for their impressive V-16 engine introduced during the early 1930s as well as introducing the rear-view mirror.

The Model 32 featured rear-view mirrors, and was the first vehicle ever with this feature. It is also responsible for the creation of the Wasp, the winner of the first Indianapolis 500 race. The name 'Wasp' was chosen due to its yellow color and pointed tail.

At the 1911 Indianapolis 500 race, the Marmon was the only vehicle equipped with a single seat, rather than the popular two-seat configuration. The first seat was for the driver while the second seat housed the mechanic. Many people were critical of the single seat configuration. They felt it unsafe because the driver would not be aware of other cars overtaking him. A solution was devised by the Marmon crew to install a rear-view mirror on the vehicle, the first of its kind according to many historians.

In 1916 the Marmon 34 was introduced as an evolution of the Model 32. The Model 34B was powered by an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine comprised mostly of aluminum. Aluminum was used throughout many parts of the vehicle including the body, radiator and hood. Its 340 cubic-inch displacement produced 34 horsepower, thus its name - 'the 34'. The Model 34 was available in a variety of body-styles including roadsters, speedsters, touring, and limousine, to name a few. The only wheelbase size available was 136 inches. Weight was in the neighborhood of 3300 pounds. Production of the Model 34 continued until 1924 which it was replaced with the Model 74 and 75.

As a publicity stunt and to gain media attention about the new Model 34, a Marmon 34 was driven across American in under six days. This beat 'Cannonball' Maker's time record.

The transmission is an unsynchronized three-speed manual unit in the H pattern. Mechanical rear brakes provide the stopping power.

The Model 74 series was produced in 1925 and 1926. For 1925 Marmon offered buyers over ten different body styles to choose from. They were powered by the six-cylinder engine, the same that was used in the Model 34. The Model E-75 was introduced in 1927 and produced until 1928; it too was powered by the Model 34 six-cylinder engine.

The use of aluminum was still a priority for Marmon. Custom coachbuilders such as E. H. Wilson and Locke were given the opportunity to provide bodies for the vehicles.

by Dan Vaughan