340ci OHV Straight-Six Engine
Single Carter BB1 Carburetor
34bhp at 2,450rpm
3-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front Suspension Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Double Transverse Elliptical Rear Suspension
4-Drum Servo-Assisted Brakes

*Of the 170 Model 34B motorcars built in 1923, this is one of seven surviving examples
*Rare Hume body
*Largely original, in excellent running order
*Superbly renovated and then lauded by the Marmon Club News editor
*Owned by Roy Montague Middleton, and Formula 1 Minardi
*Participated in the Paris-Deauville Rally of 1979, piloted by Middleton
*Cameo roles in two TV series and 'The Great Gatsby' movie
*Two-time participant in the Formula I Driver Parade at Spa-Francorchamps
*Accompanied by many parts and documents

THE MARMON MODEL 34

Howard Marmon produced his first air-cooled V-2 motorcar in 1902. After several evolutions, he settled on a straight-six configuration and built a solid reputation for dependable, yet innovative automobiles. One of Marmon's most celebrated creations was the rear-view mirror, which eradicated the need for a rear-facing engineer to spot the approaching competition. Using this new feature to its advantage, the Marmon 'Wasp' won the inaugural Indy 500 in 1911.

The company's most successful motorcar – the Model 34 – appeared in 1916, featuring an overhead valve, inline six-cylinder 340 cubic inch engine hosted the monocoque steel frame and is topped by all aluminum bodywork. This lightweight design, tipping the scales at a diminutive 3,295lbs and topping the speedometer at 80 mph, was favored by the automotive elite as well as the US government, who commissioned several Marmon 34s for the European campaign in WWII. Most notably, it was a Model 34 that broke Erwin 'Cannonball' Baker's 1916 record for driving 'from sea to shining sea' in under 54 hours, and as one of the period's fastest ever motorcars it was used as the Pace Car in the 1920 Indianapolis 500.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

According to the Marmon Club chassis 2230091 (denoting a 2-Passenger, built in 1923 as the ninety-first car of 170 built that year) is one of only seven known to still exist —especially rare for its highly sought-after Hume two-passenger body and much admired by the jet-set. The early years of this Marmon Speedster are unaccounted for, but we have documentation that places the car in the United States until 1973, when it was exported to England by Antiques Automobile Ltd. Two years later it was sold to Mr. Bernard William, who immediately passed it on to Roy Montague Middleton, owner of the Minardi Formula One racing team. In 1994, Christophe Brady acquired the car from Mr. Middleton and enjoyed its qualities for two full decades. H&H, the classic automobile auctioneer of Warrington in Cheshire, featured the Model 34 in its catalogue for a sale to be held on April 24th, 2014, at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford. The current owner, a self-proclaimed 'aficionado of beautiful pre-war classics' from Belgium, spied the Speedster in the catalogue and it was 'love at first sight', resulting in the successful purchase and delivery of the Marmon to Belgium. Exploration into this car's past revealed a celebrated history including appearances in The Great Gatsby (1974), Reilly, Ace of Spies (1983), and Jeeves and Woodster (1990-1993). It also ran in the Paris-Deauville rally of 1979, with then-owner Roy Middleton, at the wheel.

Through extensive research and no small amount of help from the Marmon Club, a multi-year renovation commenced, with the sole objective to return the car to original condition. In 2014 the consignor had the entire brake system reconditioned and installed servo-assist; the wheels were sandblasted and repainted in red, and white wall tires were added. A correct beige soft-top was installed, with diamond-shaped portholes. The following year new running-board covers were installed and the exhaust manifold was sandblasted and painted. 2016 was the year of the engine rebuild. All components – pistons, valves, pushrods, linings, camshaft, crankshaft, cylinder head and oil pump gearing, etc. were installed new or rebuilt and calibrated. Benefiting from new technology, the original water pump was scanned in 3D, a mold was formed in resin and then recreated in aluminum. The next two years saw the electricals replaced and the original instruments and wooden dashboard expertly renovated. Finally, the Stromberg carburetor was replaced by a Carter BB1 and new discs and springs were added to the clutch. This car is also equipped with a mini compressor to inflate the tires. A note from the editor of The Marmon Club News in July, 2019, states, "I can certainly attest to the passion with which [the owner] addressed the restoration of this car... which was thorough and accurate."

The beautiful blue aluminum exterior and interior black upholstery begged preservation rather than restoration, thus rendering this magnificent Marmon 34B largely original and correct, yet in excellent running order. During the restorative process, in 2016 and 2018, the owner participated in the Formula I Driver Parade at Spa-Francorchamps.

This motorcar is offered with many parts, including the original tonneau and hood, water pump mold, original Stromberg carburetor, and the original tools. It is also accompanied by the 2019 Directory of the Marmon Club, various correspondence from 1973-1978, a First Edition of The Marmon Heritage, technical manuals, parts catalogues, period marketing materials and the British license plate from 1970. With such a comprehensive package on offer, the consignor is confident that his 1923 speedster will provide its next guardian with hours of pleasure and miles of excitement.