1929 Marmon Model 78 'Straight 8 OHV' Sedan (RHD)

Description

With an illustrious history spanning three decades, including victory at the inaugural 1911 Indianapolis 500-Miles with the famous yellow Wasp, Howard C. Marmon began producing automobiles in the same city as the famous Brickyard back in 1902. Equally known for the fabulous but ill-fated V16 of the 1930s, the Marmon Motor Car Company turned out conventional, well-made six and eight cylinder cars during the 1920s. The Series 68 and 78 straight eights were offered in 1928 and 1929 and built on 114-inch and 120-inch wheelbases respectively. The side-valve motor displaced 211-cid, had a Stromberg carburettor and Delco Remy starter, generator and ignition. Rated at 76 hp, the Series 78 was available with a choice of body styles, including the Sedan, Coupe, Victoria Coupe, Collapsible Coupe, Roadster and Speedster. The Series 78 was Marmon's largest and and most expensive offering and as such came well equipped, although it was priced well below its main rivals, and the 1929 model came with safety glass, trademark 'Lightning Flash' radiator and horizontal hood louvres. Marmon reaped the benefit of a simplified model range in 1929, with sales skyrocketing from 16,551 in 1928 to 29,216 the following year, easily the highes in the company's history. Sadly Marmon was not prepared for the stock market crash and subsequent Depression and folded in 1933. The 1929 Series 78 was the last Marmon to sell in any numbers in Australia but the survival rate has been poor and restored examples rarely come on the market.