Antique Cars, Cars, Marmon

1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe

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1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe

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.

1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe Photos

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Antique Cars, Cars, Packard

1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton

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1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton

The 1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton was produced in a time frame that automakers were striving to make cheaper cars. The Packard took the opposite approach by creating a more luxurious automobile with a starting price of $1000. The automaker believed that wealthier customers would purchase the vehicle regardless of being in the midst of the Great Depression. The plan backfired and few models were sold.

The 1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton featured a distinct grille guard and dual windshield mounted lights. The rear mounted spare was covered with metal and chrome giving a luxury appearance to the vehicle. This particular rear mounted spare model is one of the most sought after classic vehicles.

1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton Front Grill

The 1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton had wind wings and six disc wheels. The tires were completely black which was a unique for luxury automobiles. The vehicle sported a 100 horsepower and 319 cubic inch eight cylinder engine. The Model 833 boasted a four speed transmission and a rear trunk.

The interior was designed with a hand finished wood panel and a unique V frame windshield. Ventipane fly windows and a rear windshield were the reason the car was called the Dual Cowl Phaeton. The rear windshield was a new feature designed to help protect the passengers seated in the back.

One 1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton was located on a used car lot in Los Angeles, CA in 1961. The vehicle still had its original paint and leather interior. The car was in surprisingly good condition. The Packard went up for auction and obtained bids as high as $120,000 but did not meet the reserve so it went unsold.

1931 Packard Model 833 Dual Cowl Phaeton Photo Gallery:

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