dpeeler

Last June, we lost a good friend and avid old car fan – Clay Thomas. A true southern gentleman, Clay made many friends touring with his wife Mary Ellen in their Marmon and Auburn. The family has expressed a desired to see these cars be passed on to an equally enthusiastic old car lover that will continue to enjoy the driving of such special classics. The Marmon was sold last fall and now only the Auburn remains. It is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. 1928 Auburn 8-115 Phaeton Sedan - For Sale - Reportedly the 1928 New York Automobile Show display model. Purchased by a Mr. and Mrs. Craig at the show and driven home to Indianapolis. Remained in their family until the late 1960’s - Very rare model and the first year for roll up windows on the four-door convertible - Beautiful tricolor paint with gorgeous deep red leather interior - Lycoming 8 cylinder 300 ci engine, 3 speed transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel brakes on a 130” wheel base - Bijur lube system, King-Seely gas gage and dual side mounts - Clay Thomas bought in 1973 and commenced a no expense spared, ground up restoration - AACA Awards include First Junior, Senior, and many Repeat Preservation Awards - AACA National Award – Thomas McKean Touring Award - in 2015 - Recognized as a CCCA Full Classic - A well sorted touring car that has completed many tours over the 45 years owned by the Thomas family - Years of maintenance records, tires replaced in 2018 with new Firestone 7.00 – 18 wide whitewalls. This was a dependable tour car and driven regularly. It is currently being detailed and serviced so it will be ready for the upcoming tour season. It has never been abused but lovingly exercised similar to the Marmon. The family is encouraging reasonable offers in the 90's. For more information, contact Russ Rogers at 704-589-2983 or by email at mbrjr60@twc.com

Thanks Al, that would be most helpful! The tank depth is 18" so most anything between 15" and 17" would work. I've also seen a side mounted Triumph gauge of the same vintage and that would work just as well. David

Looking for a Triumph fuel stick gauge that would mount in the top of a early car gas tank. They came in various lengths and the float was inside the stick tube. The needle and face was in the top of the unit. Thanks! David dpeeler6 (at) gmail (dot) com

SOLD! Thanks for all the interest!

REMINDER We'll be taking the Marmon to Hershey! Please stop by and take a close look at it. Still looking for offers in the low 90's. We're in the Red Field near the stadium - Spaces RCF 13 - 16 Hope to see you there! David

By popular request, we'll be taking the Marmon to Hershey! Please stop by and take a close look at it. Still looking for offers in the low 90's. We're in the Red Field near the stadium - Spaces RCF 13 - 16 Thanks, David

Thanks to all that have weighed in on this posting. The family has decided that a reasonable offer would be in the 90's. If you're really interested, please let me know as I don't think this Speedster will be available for long. David Peeler 704-564-5468 dpeeler6@gmail.com

Auburn-seeker - Good question and really difficult to answer as the Model 34 rarely comes to market. Produced from 1916 to 1924, the Model 34 spans the late brass to mid-nickel era with constant improvement during the run. I believe the later years were the more mechanically refined, better driving and more desirable cars. The other similar Speedsters that have sold in the past several years or were for sale are: 1924 Speedster at RM Hershey Auction (2015) – a very nicely restored Marmon that sold for $203.5k 1924 Speedster at RM Hershey Auction (2014) – an unrestored car that didn’t sell at pre-auction estimate of $125k - $175k. Later restored by Dragone Both of these can be seen at this link: https://rmsothebys.com/en/search#/?SortBy=Default&SearchTerm=Marmon&Category=All%20Categories&FromYear=1916&ToYear=1924&IncludeWithdrawnLots=false&Auction=&OfferStatus=All%20availability&AuctionYear=&Model=Model&Make=Make&FeaturedOnly=false&StillForSaleOnly=false&Collection=All%20Lots&WithoutReserveOnly=false&page=1&pageSize=0 1922 Four Passenger Speedster sold by Hyman at auction several years ago for $155k - $160k https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/5542-1922-marmon-model-34-speedster/ 1924 Speedster fully restored (noted above) and currently for sale by Dragone at $265k (Hemmings News) http://dragoneclassic.com/currentofferings/1924-marmon-34b/ Trimacar’s assessment is a fair one and certainly in the ballpark. As you can see pricing is all over the map and thus it was difficult to just stick a number out there. If someone were seriously interested in the car, we would encourage a visit to see and drive it. We are considering taking it to Hershey as well. Please note, I have no financial interest in selling the car and would take any offer to the family for their consideration. There is a clear North Carolina title that can be transferred without the normal estate issues.

Posted a 1922 Marmon for sale under the Cars For Sale section.

More photos

More photos

This past June, we lost a good friend and avid old car fan – Clay Thomas. A true southern gentleman, Clay made many friends touring with his wife Mary Ellen in their 1922 Marmon 34B and 1928 Auburn 8-115. The family has expressed a desired to see these cars be passed on to an equally enthusiastic old car lover that will continue to enjoy the driving of such special cars. Both are for sale and will be addressed in separate listings. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina. 1922 Marmon 34B Two Passenger Speedster For Sale Marmon’s production model of the 1920 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Rarely seen and one of 5 known to exist as listed in the Marmon Club roster - Large 6 cylinder engine, 3 speed transmission, 3.25 rear end, rear wheel brakes only - Mostly aluminum body, wind wings and 6 Buffalo wire wheels Older restoration in the late 1970’s by Herb Watts (previous owner) - Clay Thomas bought from Herb in May, 1988 – 30 year ownership - AACA Awards include First Junior, Senior, and many Repeat Preservation Awards - AACA National Award – Thomas McKean Touring Award - in 1999 - Recognized as a CCCA Full Classic - Completed 6 Glidden Tours and many Marmon Musters along with a number of HCCA regional tours over the period of 30 years - Featured car in publications including Autoweek, Old Cars Weekly (2x), and Hornet’s Nest AACA monthly news - Meticulous records – engine rebuild in 2000, new top in 2008, and new tires in 2011 This is a well sorted, fast automobile that is a strong, dependable tour car. As such, it shows signs of being driven and could stand to be refreshed slightly. It has never been abused but lovingly exercised as these early Marmon’s should be. Lou Iacinno, the Marmon guru who has known this Marmon for many years and toured with Clay, is quoted as saying “there is not a better running Marmon 34 in the country”. If you’re looking for an early Marmon, that you can get in, drive and ENJOY, this is it! The family is encouraging reasonable offers. For more information, contact David Peeler at 704-564-5468 or by email at dpeeler6@gmail.com

Wasn't this Duesenberg sold at last month's Worldwide Pacific Grove (Pebble Beach) Auction for $775,500 (w/buyers fee)?? Maybe a "quick flip".....if it sells.

Thanks - I'll post there as well!

Great suggestion! I would imagine it's difficult to find an original pair and will take some time. Thanks

Looking for the rear top rest saddles for a Model 33 Four Passenger Touring. All that's there is a hex shaped plug. If you have a spare pair that you'd like to sell or would be willing to loan (so I can make a set), I'd appreciate knowing. I really don't have any idea of what they even look like! Thanks, David (704-564-5468)

Thanks Ivan, these hubs and wire wheels are from a Marmon Model 34 (1916 - 1923). So would you label these hubs as a #4.5?

Does anyone know how to ID a Buffalo wire wheel size? Attached is a Buffalo "hub cap" for the wheels I have. I have concluded that the marking "LS" (PL MS 4.5 LS) refers to left side (it has a left hand thread) but not sure about the 4.5. It is hard to make out, but there is a decimal point between the 4 and 5. I want to say this is a Buffalo #5?? Also looking for a left rear buffalo axle hub of this same size. Thanks for any help! David

Thanks Matt - I'll give the local truck tire store a call. BTW, I understood Coker and Universal were the same but is Lucas in the family too?

Just bought a set of new 700 x 17 tires but not tubes! Was told that the long stems - metal or rubber are out of stock with no expected date?? Checked with both Lucas and Universal with no luck. How can this be??

Thanks - I'll give them a call.

Well, I thought I had found a great brass plating shop and after the first batch of parts came back, I'm on the hunt again. I sent a couple instrument housings and a pull light switch panel - simple enough I thought?? Was promised 2 weeks and took 2 months...then to come back looking the way they did just won't cut it. Problem - no prep work and them no buffing - just dipped and dried it appears. Hard to tell about color consistency which is so hard for brass plating. Does anyone have a shop they can recommend? Would appreciate any leads! Thanks, David

Al - email sent. David

It is a Marmon - a 4 passenger cloverleaf roadster. Note the splash aprons were riveted to the frame as can be seen in the photo and which were integral to the stiffness of the chassis. Without "louvers" in the sides of the hood, it dates from 1916 to 1920. I had one (1917) and loved it - you could go 60 mph all day long but had to remember the "45 mph" brakes may not stop you as fast as you'd like!

Thanks for both replies but my speedster is a larger framed car and the gas tank will probably need to be 35" to 36" long and round. That's why I was looking to have one made and not having much luck.