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1929 Graham-Paige Model 827

The Graham-Paige automobile company was founded in 1927 by brothers Joseph B., Robert C., and Ray A. Graham. Earlier in their career, the brothers were involved with a successful glass manufacturing company that they later sold to Libbey Owens Ford. Beginning in 1919, the brothers produced kits to modify Ford Model Ts and TTs into trucks, eventually leading to the construction of their own trucks under the Graham Brothers band and powered by engines of various manufacturers. Based in Evansville, Indiana, the brothers expanded in the early 1920s, opening a plant on Meldrum Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, and in 1925 on Cherokee Lane in Stockton, California. Also in 1925, Dodge acquired the Graham Brothers truck firm, and the three Graham brothers accepted executive positions at Dodge.

Prior to Dodge being acquired by the Chrysler Corporation in 1928, the brothers left in 1927 and acquired the Paige-Detroit Motor Company, makers of Paige and Jewett automobiles. Joseph was elected the position of president, Robert became vice president, and Ray was secretary-treasurer of the company. The automobiles that followed were called Graham-Paige and were powered by six- and eight-cylinder engines. The company also offered a line of trucks until Dodge reminded the brothers about the non-competition agreement they had signed as part of the sale of the Graham Brothers Company.

Most of the bodies and engines used by the Graham-Paige automobiles were produced in-house, although some models used Continental stock engines. The Graham brothers had acquired the Wayne Body Company in Wayne, Michigan which was used to cloth their vehicles. The engines were designed and built by their engineering department.

During its first year of automobile production in 1928, the newly formed Graham-Paige produced 73,195 cars. The line included four six-cylinder models with wheelbase sizes that ranged from 111- to 129 inches and prices of $860 to $2,100. A single eight-cylinder model was offered on a 137-inch wheelbase and prices ranged from $2,390 to $2,600.

The 1929 lineup included three six-cylinder models and two eight-cylinder models. The six-cylinder models had 112, 115, and 121-inch wheelbases. The eight-cylinder lineup included the Model 827 resting on a 127-inch platform, and the top-of-the-line Model 837 with a 137-inch wheelbase. Bodystyles on the model 827 included a roadster ($2,125), a tourer ($2,200), a coupe ($2,130), a cabriolet ($2,150), and a sedan ($1,925).

The company used the Graham-Paige name until 1930 when it simply became Graham, with Paige being reserved for the firm's new commercial vehicles. The truck line did not sell very well, and following the non-compete reminder, the Paige line was discontinued after the 1932 model year. By this point in history, the Great Depression had crippled the industry, and the Graham vehicles were not immune to its effects. Just 33,560 cars were produced in 1930, less than half o that of 1929. Sales fell even further the following year, to 20,428.

Despite the hardships, the brothers preserved for 1932 with the introduction of the Blue Streak Engine, all-new styling courtesy of Amos Northup of Murray, and detailing by Raymond Dietrich. The company endured through 1940, after which its assets were acquired by Kaiser-Frazer in 1947.

by Dan Vaughan

Opera Coupe

For 1929, the Graham-Paige Company offered a slew of vehicles powered by both six- and eight-cylinder engines. The six-cylinder could be found in the Model 612, Model 615, and Model 621. The 612 rested on a 112-inch platform, the 615 came with a 115-inch frame, and the 621 had a 121-inch frame. The eight-cylinder engine powered the Model 827 and 837. The 827 had a 127-inch platform while the Model 837 was 10 inches larger.

This automobile is original and uncensored. A survivor. The 'Opera Coupe' designation refers to the unusual seating arrangement. A fixed driver seat with a storage compartment attached behind, a foldaway passenger seat, and a 2/3rds rear seat to accommodate a lady in formal attire. Of the six LeBaron-styled Briggs-built bodies offered, very few had this configuration. The first owner sold it, with 59,000 miles in 1953, for $150.00. Sixty years and 7,000 miles later, the current owner became the new 'keeper'. It still has its factory-applied paint, trim, interior window shades, rugs, etc. Even the cigar lighter works! It runs effortlessly with the Continental 322 cubic-inch 120-horsepower straight-eight engine and four-speed Warner gearbox. The chassis components include full hydraulic brakes, a functioning Bijur 'one-shot' lube system, an oil filter, and leather 'gaiters' on the springs.

Roadster by Briggs Manufacturing

This convertible with a yellow and black exterior and gray, black, and yellow interior features a chassis, body, and eight-cylinder engine original to the vehicle. It is one of just two known to exist.