1933 Marmon HCM
- Engine
- 6.0L (368 cu in) overhead-valve aluminum V-12, 151 bhp at 3,700 rpm
- Colour
- Light tan
The Marmon HCM is a one-off prototype conceived by Howard Marmon circa 1932–33 as a potential successor to his V-16, featuring a tubular backbone chassis, four-wheel independent suspension, and a 151 bhp aluminum overhead-valve V-12 derived from the V-16. Its radical streamlined body was designed by Dorwin Teague Jr. at Walter Dorwin Teague Associates. After Marmon's death the car passed through a series of notable custodians before a full restoration by Chicago Restorations, and in 2014 it won Best in Class at Pebble Beach, where it was reunited with its designer.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$429,000
- 1933 → 1943Factory deliveryHoward Marmonpartial documentation
Personally financed the car's construction at an estimated cost of $160,000. After failing to interest any manufacturer in producing it, he brought it to his North Carolina estate where it remained in storage until his death.
- 1943 →InheritanceHoward Marmon's widowpartial documentation
Inherited the car upon her husband's death. Declined to sell it to collector James Melton and instead gifted it to Fred Moscovics.
- → 1999Acquisition unknownBrooks Stevens Museumpartial documentation
Industrial designer Brooks Stevens received the car as a gift for his museum. He repainted it dark blue but otherwise kept it largely unaltered and undriven.
- 1999 →Private saleEd Schoenthalerfull documentation
Noted collector who purchased the car from the Stevens museum following Stevens' death. Commissioned a full disassembly and restoration through Chicago Restorations, completed in 2001, returning the car to its correct light tan color.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFred Moscovicspartial documentation
Received the car as a gift from Howard Marmon's widow. At the time he was employed by A.O. Smith in New York. He subsequently traded it to Allan Floyd.
- Date unknownPrivate saleAllan Floydpartial documentation
Milwaukee-based owner who acquired it via trade from Moscovics. Eventually donated it to Brooks Stevens for his museum.
Competition
- 1932-07-01Indianapolis Motor Speedway test sessionDriver: Wilbur Shaw
Prototype evaluation run at the speedway. The car covered 10 to 50 mph acceleration in under 13 seconds and achieved a top speed exceeding 110 mph.
- 20142014 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
The car's appearance was marked by an emotional reunion with its original designer, Dorwin Teague.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2001RestorationChicago Restorations
Full disassembly and complete rebuild carried out, with the car refinished in its correct original shade of light tan. Work was commissioned by Ed Schoenthaler and completed in 2001.
Restorer George Kovanda of Chicago Restorations oversaw the project.
- —BodyworkBrooks Stevens Museum
Brooks Stevens repainted the car in dark blue while it was in his museum collection; no other work was performed and the car was not used.
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