Lot 510: 1924 Marmon Model 34 Touring with California Top

The Marmon car was built in Indianapolis, by Nordyke & Marmon. The firm had produced flour-milling machinery for more than half a century before automobiles came along. Family scion Howard Marmon built their first car in 1902. This brilliant, highly regarded engineer would lead the Marmon car to worldwide fame and acceptance.

In 1911, the first Indianapolis 500 race was won by a Marmon �Wasp� racer. By the �teens and �20s, a sporty Marmon was quite the proper car for any occasion. In 1931, the powerful and massive Marmon Sixteen was introduced. Although the last Marmon cars were built in 1933, the company went on to produce Marmon-Herrington 4-wheel drive conversions for decades.

This Marmon 34 offered here is an excellent example of the sort of large and sporty touring car destined to forever epitomize �the Roaring �20s.� The Model 34, introduced in 1916 and offered through 1924, was powered by a large overhead-valve inline six. It was a big car for its time, riding on a 132-inch wheelbase.

This 1924 Marmon Model 34 Touring car is a very original and quite intact automobile. It was repainted and cosmetically upgraded in the 1950s or early �60s. Its touring body is fitted with a rare fixed top, often referred to as a California top. At first glance, the top appears to be of the standard, folding type, but it is actually a fixed, non-convertible top with a built in headliner.

The accessory fixed top is quite unusual today and the Marmon is likely one of only a very few touring cars in existence equipped with the feature.

The MSI staff recently inspected the Marmon, reporting that its body and fenders appear to be extremely solid. Panel fit is good and consistent throughout. No signs of structural damage or repair were noted. A few small parts are missing, including the spark lever, ignition switch, tail lamp and clock. The rear bumper and brackets are damaged but appear to be complete.

The chassis appears to be in original condition. The engine is complete down to its correct carburetor. The original cellular radiator is still intact.

The Marmon was repainted many years ago, in a hue believed to match the original color. Some mars to the finish have accumulated over the years, but is generally still in good condition. The California top retains its original fabric covering, with a few tears that have been repaired, and the headliner is intact and in good condition. The interior appears to be original and is in fair overall condition, with the front seat leather showing more wear than the rear. The nickel-plated trim appears original and is reported to be in good condition.

This Marmon could potentially be made quite presentable with little more than a thorough cleaning and some detailing. Very few cars from the 1920s remain as original as this fine automobile, and with its Marmon heritage and unusual top, it will make an interesting car to own.

Without reserve