SOLVED: si_988 - Marmon - Sixteen 145 - V16 - 1931

[sichel]

Which car does this engine belong to? When was the photo taken?

[sichel]

Up to the Experts.

[hermanoto]

Marmon Sixteen, pictured at Chicago Auto Show November 1930.

[sichel]

Yes, it is a Marmon Sixteen. However, the model designation is incomplete, and according to my sources, it wasn't available in 1930. Locked for you.

[hermanoto]

the Sixteen was introduced in 1930. I do have a magazine clipping dated January 15th 1931!!
The production started in 1931 and lasted until the end of 1933.

A Marmon with a specific designation added to Sixteen is the type 143 Victoria Convertible Coupe by Le Baron.
Is that the one You are looking for?

[sichel]

As production began in 1931, the photo must have been taken in 1931 at the earliest ;-). That's also the date we're looking for.
It isn't a Type 143, but the number we're looking for belongs to the 140 series.

[marmer]

Not to be pedantic, but if the photo was published in a magazine article dated January 15, 1931, it was almost certainly taken and typeset in late 1930.  So it would be reasonable to assume there was one prototype or show car, probably considered a 1931 model year, constructed in 1930.

[hermanoto]

That was my thought too. In the article  the engine was pictured with only a drawing of a sedan. The text mentioned the introduction of the car.


Marmon Sixteen 149, 1931-1933. Therefore the pictured car was a sedan (a close coupled one or a convertible sedan). Who can tell this from only the front of the car?!

[sichel]

I'm sorry, but it's not a 149 and my source has nothing to do with a pre-war magazine
article.

[hermanoto]

145?

[sichel]

Yes, it is a type 145. More details to follow; I'm busy with my granddaughter.

[sichel]

The photo is taken from an article in the 1985 edition of a magazine for historic motor vehicles.
It was taken in a car museum, probably in the 1980s. The Type 145 was a four-door convertible.
A racing driver who was by no means unknown had exhibited his collection of vehicles in the museum.
Anyone who identifies this source will receive a Sichel-Bee, and a video about the museum can then be found on YouTube using this clue.