1939 Graham Model 96

By the late 1930s automobile styling was changing significantly from earlier years. Some companies felt they needed significant departures from traditional styling in order to gain attention and sales. Examples include the Cord 810 and 812, the Lincoln Zephyr, and the Cadillac 60 special. Many cars incorporated Art Deco features and this Graham Sharknose Coupe is an example of the trend. It was dubbed 'The Spirit of Motion.'

The very distinctive pointed front end resulted in its Sharknose nickname. No other car had a front-end appearance close to this. The Graham Company was the successor company of the Graham-Page company which was founded in 1927. Unlike many other small companies, it managed to survive the depression, but after financial losses ceased automobile production in late 1940. It was saved by war production contracts during WWII. Attempts at reviving auto production after WWII failed and the automobile assets were sold to the newly formed Kaiser Frazer Company. The company then went into the commercial property business, later changing its name to Madison Square Garden Corporation.

The 1939 Graham model 96 was a medium-priced car with a 120-inch wheelbase and a 218 cubic-inch 6-cylinder engine developing 93 horsepower. A supercharged version, designated the Model 97, produced 120 horsepower.