1931 Marmon Sixteen
- Engine
- 490.8 cu in OHV V16, 200 bhp, three-speed manual
- Colour
- Black with orange moldings
Marmon Sixteen chassis 16 145 593 is among the most celebrated survivors of the approximately 70 known remaining examples of this rare V-16 model. Originally delivered to Indianapolis insulin research pioneer Dr. G.H.A. Clowes, the car later passed through the collections of racing and yachting sportsman Briggs Cunningham and prolific Indiana collector S. Ray Miller. A ground-up restoration by LaVine Restorations in 1988–1989 produced a concours career that included AACA President's Cup honours, a Pebble Beach class placing, and multiple Best-in-Class awards, cementing its reputation as one of the best-known and most-exhibited Sixteens in existence.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$632,500
- → 1972Acquisition unknownRichard Askrenpartial documentation
Carried out the first restoration of the vehicle; engine was reportedly rebuilt and tested by Perfect Circle Piston Ring Company.
- 1972 →Private saleBriggs Cunninghampartial documentation
Housed the car in his Costa Mesa, California museum. During his ownership the current engine number 16860 was installed. He owned two Marmon Sixteens over his lifetime.
- → 2004Private saleS. Ray Millerfull documentation
Prominent Indiana collector who commissioned a full concours restoration by LaVine Restorations between 1988 and 1989. Car was subsequently displayed in his Elkhart, Indiana museum.
- 2004 →AuctionCurrent vendorfull documentation
Acquired when the Miller collection was dispersed. Placed the car on loan display at the Studebaker National Museum and later the ACD Automobile Museum; recently returned to LaVine Restorations for cosmetic and mechanical refreshment.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryDr. G.H.A. Clowesfull documentation
Original owner, Indianapolis resident and Eli Lilly research director. Vehicle was optionally equipped with factory radio and dual heaters.
- Date unknownVarious short-term Indiana owners including John Hoggatpartial documentation
Multiple brief owners across roughly two decades following Clowes; Indianapolis-area collector John Hoggat was among them.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMiles Collierpartial documentation
Acquired the entire Cunningham Collection as a single transaction; car subsequently sold out of this holding.
Competition
- 19891989 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
- 1990Meadow Brook ConcoursBest Pre-war Open Car
- 1990Indianapolis ConcoursBest in Class
- —Classic Car Club of America concoursCCCA Primary1st with perfect score on debut showing
First competitive showing after the LaVine restoration was completed; achieved maximum points.
- —Classic Car Club of America concoursCCCA Senior1st
- —Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAACA President's CupWinner
Highest honor the AACA presents to a pre-war vehicle.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1988RestorationLaVine Restorations
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration carried out between 1988 and 1989 to the highest concours standard. The body was refinished in correct Marmon colours — Black with Menelaus Orange coachline details — with a dark red interior and black cloth hood. Blackwall tyres were fitted.
Work was commissioned by S. Ray Miller and performed by Eric and Vivian LaVine of Nappanee, Indiana; cost was described as no object.
- —RestorationPerfect Circle Piston Ring Company
First full restoration of the car undertaken by Richard Askren; engine was rebuilt and tested by the Perfect Circle Piston Ring Company as part of this work.
Extent and date of this restoration are not precisely documented in the prose.
- —Modification
Replacement engine (number 16860) fitted to the car during Briggs Cunningham's ownership.
- —Service
Car maintained continuously to a high standard while on display in the S. Ray Miller Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.
- —Service
Extended museum display in controlled-environment facilities: first at the Studebaker National Museum, then at the ACD Automobile Museum.
Climate-controlled conditions preserved the restoration during the current ownership period.
- —RestorationLaVine Restorations
Cosmetic detailing of the existing restoration plus comprehensive mechanical work including a complete engine overhaul, carried out in preparation for the auction sale.
Full details available from RM Sotheby's specialists on request.
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