1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe
- Engine
- 490.8 cu in (approx. 8.0L) OHV V16, 200 bhp
- Colour
- Maroon with silver accents
The 1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe, chassis 16 144 705, is among the rarest surviving examples of one of the Classic Era's most technically ambitious automobiles. Powered by an all-aluminium 490.8 cu. in. overhead-valve V-16 producing 200 bhp, and styled by Walter Dorwin Teague Jr., it is one of only eight known surviving convertible coupes from a total production estimated between 370 and 375 cars. The car carries a long and well-documented ownership history centred on prominent Marmon enthusiasts and was ultimately restored to an exceptional standard by renowned specialist Harry Sherry.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,320,000
- 1948 → 1963Early Denver-area enthusiasts (multiple)partial documentation
Car is believed to have been in the Denver, Colorado region in the custody of several early collectors during this period. Exact identities and sequence not recorded.
- 1963 →Acquisition unknownWilliam E. Carneypartial documentation
Resident of Shawnee, Kansas; car subsequently returned to Colorado by the early 1970s, suggesting he sold it around that time.
- 1972 →Private saleOliver Kofoedpartial documentation
Acquired from a fellow hobbyist in Yuma, Colorado; initiated a restoration that remained unfinished at the time of sale.
- → 1998InheritanceRich Atwellpartial documentation
Son of Robert Atwell; received most of the collection including this car and continued the ongoing restoration before selling.
- 1998 →Private saleMarvin Tamaroffpartial documentation
Well-regarded Marmon Sixteen specialist based in Southfield, Michigan; commissioned Harry Sherry to complete the restoration in the current maroon, silver, and grey colour scheme.
- 2007 →Acquisition unknownAndrews Collection (Paul and Chris Andrews)partial documentation
Final and finest of several Marmon Sixteens owned by this family; car has been carefully maintained and holds CCCA Senior badge number 2379.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRobert Atwellpartial documentation
Based in Kerrville, Texas; purchased in the late 1980s. A leading Southwestern collector of the era who assembled a comprehensive Marmon Sixteen collection spanning nearly every coachwork variant.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1972Restoration
Oliver Kofoed commenced a restoration of the convertible coupe following his purchase but did not bring the work to completion.
- —Restoration
Rich Atwell continued the partially completed restoration that had been started by Kofoed during his tenure with the car.
Work was carried out prior to the 1998 sale to Marvin Tamaroff.
- —RestorationHarry Sherry
Harry Sherry of Warsaw, Ontario completed the full restoration of the coupe, finishing it in maroon and silver coachwork with a matching maroon interior and grey soft-top, to a highly detailed concours-level standard.
Commissioned by Marvin Tamaroff; Sherry was regarded as the foremost specialist restorer of Marmon Sixteens worldwide during his active career.
- —MechanicalCarroll Shelby Enterprises
A new set of cylinder heads was fitted as part of a specialist project. The heads were reverse-engineered from originals, cast by Edelbrock using modern metallurgical techniques, and finish-machined by Carroll Shelby Enterprises. They are externally correct but internally updated with improved corrosion resistance, greater structural strength, and a modest power increase.
Project led by Dyke Ridgley and Gary Severns to produce updated replacement heads for Marmon Sixteen owners.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.