1918 Marmon Model 34 Four-Passenger Roadster (Chummy) by Nordyke and Marmon

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

* * * 

Marmons were produced in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1903 to 1933. The Model 34 was first introduced in 1916 featuring an in-line overhead valve six whose cylinder block and most components were made of aluminum; ditto for the body and the radiator shell. At 3,450 pounds, the car weighed some 20-30 percent less than comparable large cars earning it the title of the fastest American production car in the early 1920’s.  

The advanced design of the Model 34 series featured “unification construction”— an early version of unibody construction. Even weight distribution was an ideal 50-50 front-to-rear and foot pedals were placed to allow quick movement from throttle to brake to clutch. Instruments were placed in a single cluster with indirect night lighting, one of many features we take for granted today.    

With 84 hp on tap, the Marmon Speedster was chosen to pace the 1920 Indianapolis 500. Legendary driver Barney Oldfield was able to lead the starting grid around the course at a sensational 80 mph before pulling off at the end of the pace lap. Oldfield was so impressed that he purchased the car after the race — perhaps the best endorsement Marmon could receive.  

Highlights  

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection  

• Very nice older restoration 

• Aluminum coachwork by Nordyke and Marmon 

• New convertible top and side curtains 

• Leather seat upholstery in very nice condition 

 Features  

• Unusual custom-made running board-mounted trunk 

• Waltham dash clock 

• Walk-through bucket front seats 

• Concealed rear trunk storage 

• Painted wire wheels 

• Rear-mounted spare tire 

• Accessory moto meter 

• Beveled glass oval rear window 

• Driving lights and rear brake light 

• Buffalo whitewall tires 

• Front and rear friction shock absorbers 

• Split front windshield 

• Moto meter 

• Firestone non-skid tires 

Ownership History

Purchased from Gerald Lettieri, Rocky Hill, Connecticut in 1992.  

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “This wonderful Marmon is one of the first cars to use aluminum in the building of the cylinder block, transmission housing, differential, fenders and hood. What I find really interesting is that Marmon took a Model 34 cross-country in 1916 in less than six days, beating the previously held record by 41 hours. This Marmon would make a fabulous touring car.” 

Additional Notes  

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Donnie Gould    Phone: 954.647.0779     email: dgould@hagerty.com