1932 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Coupe
Powerful and Smooth V-16 Engine
Custom LeBaron body - high quality yet understated styling
Low-production output due to economic climate of the late 1920s & early 30s
While Marmon Automobiles may not have the name recognition of other luxury performance brands of the early 20th century, the 16-cylinder LeBaron bodied coupe on display has graced two prior Audrain exhibitions. In both, the engineering prowess of the car made it a star of both the Horseless to Horsepower show in 2019 as well as the Early Landmarks in Automotive Engineering exhibit held in early 2023. Manufactured in Indianapolis, IN, the Marmon and Nordyke Company automobiles began as an outgrowth of a machining operation, with one of their early cars capturing the win at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 auto race. Through the years, they developed a reputation for precision manufacturing with innovations that included aluminum alloy engines with overhead valves, hydraulic brakes, and other refinements.
In 1926 Howard Carpenter Marmon began the development of a V-16 engine, with advanced wet steel cylinder linings installed in an aluminum alloy engine block. At the same time, brands such as Cadillac and Packard offered only side valves, and iron block 8- and 12-cylinder engines in their luxury cars. A defection of engineers from the Marmon factory prior to the release of the new vehicle enabled Cadillac and Peerless to hire former Marmon employees and with them came the innovations unique to the Marmon 16 engine project. Cadillac was quick to now offer a V-16 engine in its new 1931 Models leaving Marmon to wait until ’32 to bring their “16” to market. But by this time, the effects of the Great Depression dramatically decreased the feasibility of an automobile costing well in excess of $5000 for just the engine and chassis, with a custom body adding even more cost to the car. Peerless declared bankruptcy before they could bring their 16-cylinder engine to the public and Marmon soon followed in 1933 with fewer than 100 cars being built during that model year.
This Marmon is a fine example of the understated elegance exemplified by the LeBaron coachwork. With a subtle green exterior, dual side mount spares, a jaunty leather-covered rumble seat, and a handy golf bag storage area, the driver and passenger enjoyed an extremely smooth and quiet ride. Vibration from the engine was negligible with 16 pistons and a well-oiled overhead valvetrain. Dashboard treatments were painted and trimmed with chrome rather than the veneered wood finishes or machine-tooled metal of other luxury brands and the seats were comfortable but not extravagant. This was not a utilitarian vehicle and while it sold for a fraction of the cost of a similar Duesenberg coupe, it was an extravagant statement of power and performance during a time when automobile sales dipped to an all-time low. It is one of only 6 known LeBaron Coupes with the Marmon V-16 platform.
Specifications:
Engine: 491 cu in V-16 aluminum block, overhead valve pushrods; 3-speed manual transmission with 2 &3 gear synchromesh.
Horsepower: 200 @ 3400 rpm.
Top Speed: 105 mph.
Weight: 5090 lbs.
Suspension: Rigid axles, semi-elliptic springs, 2-way hydraulic shock absorbers.
Brakes: Duo-Servo with vacuum booster, 16-in. drums.