1932 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Coupe
491 cubic inch V-16 Aluminum Alloy Engine with Steel Liners
Overhead Valve with improved Cooling and Silent Operation
16” Drum Brakes with Vacuum Assist
The Marmon V16 Coupe is an example of superb automotive engineering that was introduced at exactly the wrong time for success. With an extensive racing background that included a win at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race, the Nordyke and Marmon Company of Indianapolis was known for innovative machining and manufacturing. As demand for larger and more powerful automobiles evolved in the “cylinder wars” of the late 1920s, Howard Carpenter Marmon began development of a V16 cylinder engine in 1926. Yet both Cadillac and Peerless were also in development of their own V16 due to their recruitment of ex-Marmon engineers. Subsequently Cadillac brought their V-16 engines to market a year ahead of Marmon while the Great Depression was to claim the Peerless Motor Company before their V16 engine went into production. The Marmon V-16 automobile arrived in 1931 at the Chicago Auto Salon alongside their V8 “Roosevelt” model but financial constraints limited sales of the larger car over the following 3 years to less than 400 units. While Marmon’s cast aluminum block 200hp engine took center stage in the list of features in the car, there was a definitive austerity in the finish and appointments of the Marmon 16 opposite other luxury brands despite the stylish LeBaron coachwork applied to the vehicle. Compared to the luxury Duesenberg J Model, the Marmon was offered at only 1/3 the purchase price while having speed and acceleration that was comparable to the “Duesey”, but its purchase price far exceeded the means of the average motorist.
Marmon was to make several marketing decisions that led to their demise in 1933. Although the company built V8 engine models beginning in 1927 that sold for under $1000, Marmon chose to discontinue their V8 cars in 1933 despite outselling the V-16 eight to one. Offering a $5000 chassis and engine before the cost of the body was added to the price was a tough sell during the peak of the depression, despite its outstanding performance and advanced features. The cast alloy engine with steel wet cylinder liners were a departure from cast iron block engines of the time. Lighter weight, overhead valve design, and superior cooling combined with a mechanical fuel pump and downdraft carburation all helped to produce exceptionally quiet performance. When introduced, the Marmon 16 engine received a medal of achievement from the Society of Automotive Engineers. But with the monetary crisis at its peak, by May of 1933, Marmon entered into receivership with only 86 vehicles manufactured during the model year.
This LeBaron bodied 2 passenger coupe offers a leather rumble seat along with a “golf bag” storage area accessible on the right side of the vehicle. This body configuration is one of only 6 built and despite being restored, it retains much of its original engine and components. It’s painted dashboard, functional instrumentation, and lack of exotic materials throughout the interior speak to Marmon’s reputation for being a quiet but quality engineered automotive manufacturer.
Specifications:
Engine: 491 Cubic Inch aluminum block V16 Overhead Valve Pushrod; 3 Speed manual transmission 2,3 gear synchromesh
Performance: 200 hp, 105 mph top speed
Weight: 5040 lbs