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LOT 475

1939 Graham-Paige Model 97 Supercharged Sedan Chassis no. (see text)

Sold for US$28,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 475

1939 Graham-Paige Model 97 Supercharged Sedan

1939 Graham-Paige Model 97 Supercharged Sedan
Chassis no. (see text)


217ci Supercharged L-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Tillotson Carburetor
116bhp at 4,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front with Live Rear Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Striking "Sharknose" design
*Supercharged power
*Lovely Blue exterior paint


THE GRAHAM-PAIGE

Originally commercial vehicle manufacturers, the three Graham brothers sold out to Dodge in 1926. The following year the Grahams bought the struggling Paige-Detroit Motor Car Company, continuing the existing Paige car for 1928 alongside a new Graham-Paige line-up. A staggering 73,195 cars were sold in Graham-Paige's first 12 months, a US auto-industry record at the time. High performance was a strong selling point in G-P's early years, one example setting speed records at the Brooklands track in England while another held the Mount Washington climb record. The company name was shortened to simply Graham in 1930. Despite a succession of styling innovations - its Bluestreak and 'shark nose' models are among the most striking of the 1930s - Graham never fully recovered from the Depression years and built its last car in 1940.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

A truly striking piece of 1930s design, the "Sharknose" Graham-Paige was truly a standout amongst its peers of the era, and this one is no exception. Finished in blue with a comfortable brown cloth interior, the car was most likely restored sometime within the last 30 years.

Within the history file is a brief listing of the known ownership history. As of the early 1990s the car was under the care of Elliot Fried of Long Beach, California. In 1994, he sold the Graham to Rob Meyers, who would soon after put the car up for auction. At which point, Mr. Spain obtained the supercharged sedan.

This vehicle represents a wonderful opportunity to obtain one of the more forward thinking cars of the 1930s, and will surely attract plenty of attention at any weekend car show.

Saleroom notices

Please note, the chassis number is 501131.

Additional information

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