1932 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe
- Engine
- 8.0L all-aluminum V16, ~200 hp
The Marmon Sixteen convertible coupe, serial number 16 144 859, is among only eight surviving examples in this most desirable body style from a total known population of seventy-six cars. Powered by an all-aluminium V-16 displacing over 490 cubic inches and producing 200 horsepower, it was styled by Walter Dorwin Teague Jr. for Colonel Howard Marmon. The car passed through the celebrated Harrah's Automobile Collection, where a meticulous research-backed restoration was completed in the 1960s, and later to General William Lyon before entering its current long-term private ownership.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$962,000
- → 1978Private saleWilliam F. Harrahfull documentation
Purchased from Sedgwick and subjected the car to a thorough, documented restoration completed in the 1960s; the car became one of his personally favored exhibits and appeared in multiple Harrah collection publications.
- → 1987InheritanceHarrah's Automobile Collectionfull documentation
Retained as part of the institutional collection following Harrah's death in 1978 until a large group of vehicles was dispersed in 1987.
- 1987 →AuctionGeneral William Lyonpartial documentation
Acquired the Marmon as part of a sizeable purchase from the dispersed Harrah collection; held it for an unspecified period before selling to the subsequent owners.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryOriginal owner in Illinoispartial documentation
Identified via correspondence from William R. Gibson of Massachusetts as the first purchaser; car was among the final 1932 models built but was first retailed in 1933, hence its 1933-style front fender marker lamps.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRobert Sedgwickpartial documentation
Resided in Inglewood, California; served as the source from whom Harrah acquired the car.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent long-term private ownerspartial documentation
Held the car for over 25 years prior to consignment; arranged a light cosmetic freshening while preserving the underlying Harrah restoration.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationHarrah's Automobile Collection
Upon acquisition, Harrah's full-time staff conducted thorough research into original construction and finishes, consulting period brochures, magazine articles, and expert correspondence before completing a comprehensive restoration to the car's original colour scheme.
Restoration completed in the 1960s; the supporting research file is included with the car.
- —Service
A recent light freshening was carried out, while the bulk of the earlier Harrah's restoration remains intact.
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