Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 168 ¤
1929 Marmon Model 68 "Roosevelt" Sedan Chassis no. 8708686
Sold for US$21,280 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 168¤
1929 Marmon Model 68 "Roosevelt" Sedan
1929 Marmon Model 68 "Roosevelt" Sedan
Chassis no. 8708686
Chassis no. 8708686
201ci L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Carter Carburetor
72bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Beam Axle, Rear sold Axle, Elliptical Springs
4-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*Marmon's attempt to enter the lower-priced market
*An older but complete restoration
*Body constructed by Hayes
*Wood artillery wheels
THE MARMON MODEL 68 ROOSEVELT
Best-known for winning the first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911 with Ray Harroun, the Marmon was thoughtfully engineered, well-finished, and reasonably priced at the lower end of the luxury market. Still, the Great Depression of the 1920s hit that segment very hard, driving many companies out of business. To survive, Marmon felt a need to break into the lower-priced market with a sub-$1000 product. Thus was born the short-lived "Roosevelt", named in honor of former President Theodore Roosevelt. Two base models were offered: a sedan and a basic coupe, both priced at $995. They were the first American automobiles in America with a straight-eight be priced under a thousand dollars. The Roosevelt line also included two more expensive coupes, including a Victoria, at just over that price point. One Marmon enthusiast notes that "One of the unique features of the Roosevelt was the horn button. It served three purposes. Push down and it would honk, pull up and it was the starter, and turn it, to turn the head lights on and off. It also had a cameo of Theodore Roosevelt, black and white, on the front top middle of the radiator." Sales in 1929 approached 24,500 automobiles, considered an excellent first year for a new marque. However, Roosevelts were only built in 1929 and 1930, and by 1933 Marmon had closed its doors forever.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This Marmon Roosevelt Model 68 is in very nice driver condition, having undergone a complete restoration some years ago. The bodywork, by Hayes of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is finished in two shades of tan, darker above, lighter below, with a black fabric-covered roof with the fenders and chassis painted black. The interior is quite elegant, tastefully upholstered in brown broadcloth with polished wood trim and an engraved instrument panel containing a Stewart-Warner drum-type rotating speedometer facing the front passengers. There are polished step-plates on the running boards and a nice trunk fitted to the rear of the car.
The straight eight-cylinder engine delivers its 72 horsepower through a three-speed manual transmission to the rear axle via torque tube spinning steel-rimmed, wood-spoked artillery type wheels, fitted with whitewall tires. Its odometer shows 38,675 miles, but total mileage is unknown.
While now an "orphan" brand today, relatively few Marmons survive; this attractive sedan presents a rare opportunity for the discerning collector.
Single Carter Carburetor
72bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Beam Axle, Rear sold Axle, Elliptical Springs
4-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*Marmon's attempt to enter the lower-priced market
*An older but complete restoration
*Body constructed by Hayes
*Wood artillery wheels
THE MARMON MODEL 68 ROOSEVELT
Best-known for winning the first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911 with Ray Harroun, the Marmon was thoughtfully engineered, well-finished, and reasonably priced at the lower end of the luxury market. Still, the Great Depression of the 1920s hit that segment very hard, driving many companies out of business. To survive, Marmon felt a need to break into the lower-priced market with a sub-$1000 product. Thus was born the short-lived "Roosevelt", named in honor of former President Theodore Roosevelt. Two base models were offered: a sedan and a basic coupe, both priced at $995. They were the first American automobiles in America with a straight-eight be priced under a thousand dollars. The Roosevelt line also included two more expensive coupes, including a Victoria, at just over that price point. One Marmon enthusiast notes that "One of the unique features of the Roosevelt was the horn button. It served three purposes. Push down and it would honk, pull up and it was the starter, and turn it, to turn the head lights on and off. It also had a cameo of Theodore Roosevelt, black and white, on the front top middle of the radiator." Sales in 1929 approached 24,500 automobiles, considered an excellent first year for a new marque. However, Roosevelts were only built in 1929 and 1930, and by 1933 Marmon had closed its doors forever.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This Marmon Roosevelt Model 68 is in very nice driver condition, having undergone a complete restoration some years ago. The bodywork, by Hayes of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is finished in two shades of tan, darker above, lighter below, with a black fabric-covered roof with the fenders and chassis painted black. The interior is quite elegant, tastefully upholstered in brown broadcloth with polished wood trim and an engraved instrument panel containing a Stewart-Warner drum-type rotating speedometer facing the front passengers. There are polished step-plates on the running boards and a nice trunk fitted to the rear of the car.
The straight eight-cylinder engine delivers its 72 horsepower through a three-speed manual transmission to the rear axle via torque tube spinning steel-rimmed, wood-spoked artillery type wheels, fitted with whitewall tires. Its odometer shows 38,675 miles, but total mileage is unknown.
While now an "orphan" brand today, relatively few Marmons survive; this attractive sedan presents a rare opportunity for the discerning collector.
Saleroom notices
Title in transit.
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