Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 23 ¤
1923 Marmon Model 34 Four-Passenger Coupe Chassis no. 15230240 Engine no. 12735
Sold for US$31,360 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 23¤
1923 Marmon Model 34 Four-Passenger Coupe
1923 Marmon Model 34 Four-Passenger Coupe
Chassis no. 15230240
Engine no. 12735
Chassis no. 15230240
Engine no. 12735
339.6ci Overhead Valve Inline Six-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Updraft Carburetor
84bhp
Three-Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axle Suspension with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Four-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
* Marmon's most successful model
* Largely as it was when bought by Harrah's in the early 80's
* An engineering milestone with 84hp six-cylinder overhead valve performance
* Distinctive Blue, Black and Bright Red interior livery
THE MARDON MODEL 34
As an heir to the foremost manufacturer of flour milling machinery in the world, Nordyke & Marmon in Indianapolis, Howard Marmon joined the company after graduating from Stanford. He soon proved his talent and became Chief Engineer in 1902. He also had an affinity for automobiles, building Marmon's first car in his first year on the job! Others followed, including the Marmon Wasp that won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
In 1914 Marmon introduced the Model 34, an engineering masterpiece with a 340 cubic inch 74 horsepower overhead valve six-cylinder that used lightweight aluminum in abundance, including in the body and fenders. In 1916, a Marmon 34 was driven cross-country in less than six days, undercutting Cannonball Baker's Sea-to-Shining-Sea record set with a V-8 Cadillac by 41 hours, setting off the legendary Cannonball Run Race. By 1923, the Model 34's engine was tuned to 84hp.
The Model 34 was so successful that from 1917 to 1924 it was the only car that Marmon offered. The engine block was changed to iron in 1920, but the Model 34 was so well built and used such superior materials that it had unusual longevity, at least for the time when technology and production changed so quickly.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1923 Marmon Model 34 Four-Passenger Coupe has an intriguing history. It was acquired by Harrah's in the early 1980's and then pored over by the Research Department's Ray Borges in 1983. While it noted an unusual number of incorrect Items for a Harrah's car including front wheel brakes, a supplemental cooling system reservoir and other things, all these features are still present forty years later, a strong indication that this Marmon was simply too well-preserved and representative to warrant changing it and compromising the car's originality and preservation.
It is finished in blue with black fenders and is upholstered in bright red cloth. It has varnished wood spoke wheels with 6.00-23 Lester whitewall tires and a single rear-mounted spare. There are McKeelite drum headlights, a Van Sicklen speedometer, locking gearshift, top hinged raked windshield with protective visor, pullup quarter windows, bud vases and a Boyce MotoMeter. An unusual feature is the windshield mounted Windshield Spotlight-Driver. The front doors have wind up windows and a Mahogany dashboard complements the instrument panel with good gauges.
The Marmon Model 34 is a pinnacle of 1920s engineering prowess and commercial success, a car that deserves admiration for quality and performance.
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| ¤ | No Reserve |
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