The 1931 Marmon Sixteen Coupe is a classic piece of mechanical excellence. Although the life of the company was short lived, the legend of the car lives on. Quality, style and performance helped to make this coupe a top contender in its day.
With a 491ci engine and a Pushrod OHV, this beauty was able to reach a top speed of 105 mph. This was quite a feat for the time. The aluminum engine boasted 2 valves per cylinder for a total of 16. Natural aspiration and the use of the Stromberg DDR3 carburetor aided in the Marmon Sixteen to achieve superior performance ratings. The body was designed around a steel ladder frame. The Sixteen featured RWD with a front and rear solid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and friction dampers.
Economic troubles played a part in this automobile being defeated in the marketplace while others could thrive. The Great Depression made the $5,000 sticker price appear unaffordable to most. Fewer than 400 of this type were constructed during the three years of production. Even more rare is the Sixteen Coupe for two passengers. There are 6 known to be in existence. When the company closed however, much of the records were not maintained.
Marmon Automotive left a lasting impression on the automotive industry with such innovations as the rear view mirror, utilizing aluminum in automobile construction, and the v16 engine. Anyone fortunate enough to have the Marmon Sixteen Coupe or Sedan is lucky indeed to have such a prized piece of automotive history.
