1919 Locomobile Model 48 Series 6 Town Car by Demarest

Description

The 1919 Locomobile 48 epitomized American luxury motoring in the post-World War I era. Built by the Locomobile Company of America in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Model 48 had been introduced in 1911 and was renowned as the “Best Built Car in America.” By 1919, it featured a massive 525 cubic-inch T-head six-cylinder engine producing about 100 horsepower, paired with a four-speed sliding-gear transmission.

Series 6 Town Cars (including this one) were often bodied by elite coachbuilders like A.T. Demarest of New York and showcased formal coachwork with elegant details such as “skeleton wood” headliners, razor-edge rooflines, and a six-fender design.

Restored decades ago, this 1919 Model 48 Series 6 Town Car was formerly owned by adventure novelist and automotive enthusiast Clive Cussler, who died in February 2020 at the age of 88. Cussler said that he saw a similar Locomobile as a child and dreamed of owning one. He fulfilled that dream in 2012. The car wears two-tone cream and beige paint with beige leather upholstery in the driver's compartment and cloth upholstery in the rear passenger compartment. It features side lamps and elegant wood trim throughout.

This Locomobile is now offered with some spare parts and a clean California title in the seller's name.

Factory Equipment

• 525 cu-in T-head six-cylinder engine producing about 100 from the factory

• Four-speed sliding-gear transmission

• Four-spoke wood steering wheel

• Tape-measure speedometer and gauges for oil, amperes, and gas

• Push buttons for Starter, Panel (dashboard lights), Side & Tail (side lamps and rear tail lamp for low light), and Head & Tail (main headlamps and full tail lamps)

• Clock

• Glass division between chauffeur and passengers

• 12-spoke wood wheels with chrome Locomobile center caps (and 35x5 wide whitewall tires)

• Mechanical drum brakes on rear wheels

• Semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear

Modifications

• Finished in two-tone cream and beige paint

• Beige leather upholstery on driver’s bench seat

• Beige cloth upholstery on rear passenger bench seat and jump seats

• Replaced wood headliner planks

• Rebuilt gas tank (in aluminum) but maintains all original fittings

• Carter 6-volt rotary low pressure fuel pump

• Malpassi fuel pressure regulator

• Delco Model 5202 distributor from a 1919 Pierce Arrow

Known Imperfections

• Speedometer/odometer is inoperable

• Original fuel system lines (air and fuel), but a 90-degree elbow is missing from the hand fuel pump connection

• Paint chips and scuffs in running board

• Cracking and missing paint on wheels

Ownership History

The seller of this 1919 Locomobile Model 48 Series 6 Town Car purchased it in January 2025. It was formerly owned by adventure novelist and collector Clive Cussler.

The seller states, ““Theodore Valpey of New Hampshire was the longtime owner of the car, and he sold it at auction in June 2012, when Clive Cussler acquired it and added to his extensive collection.” The car appeared in Classic Car Weekly after the sale.

It placed second in the Pre-War Open Class at the 2019 Keels and Wheels Concours at Lakeland Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas.

Included Items

• Two rear-mounted spare tires

• Cream-colored Tonneau cover

• Oil pan

• Oil pump parts and lines

• Disassembled carburetor

• Factory battery ground casting