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1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

Sold for $32,500 on 3/22/21comments-icon27Comments
1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

This 1929 Marmon Model 78 sedan is said to have been refurbished during previous ownership before it was purchased by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation in 1999 out of Pennsylvania. The car has since been kept in the IMS Museum’s climate-controlled storage facility, where it spent the past decade on display for the IMS Museum’s “Basement Tours” as well as in the winter 2016 exhibition “Indiana Automobiles: Precision over Production.” The car is finished in dark burgundy with black fenders over brown cloth upholstery, and power comes from a 217ci OHV straight-eight paired with a three-speed sliding-gear transmission with reverse. In preparation for the sale, IMS Museum staff replaced the carburetor and fuel lines, freed the seized fuel pump, and flushed the fuel system. This Marmon is now offered by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation with the removed carburetor and a clean Indiana title in the organization’s name.

1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

The Indianapolis, Indiana-based Marmon Motor Car Company traced its history back to 1851, and the first Marmon-branded automobiles were produced in 1902. The company was reorganized in 1926 and sought to expand with offerings like the Model 78. Introduced in 1928, the car rode on a 120″ wheelbase and was offered in a variety of body styles. A Model 78 roadster was used as the Indianapolis 500 pace car that year.

1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

This example is said to have been refurbished during previous ownership and features sedan coachwork by the Hayes Body Corporation of Grand Rapids, Michigan, finished in burgundy with lighter accents over black fenders. Features include a single brake light, cowl lamps, a tilting windshield, a polished radiator surround, and Trippe driving lights. Paint chips are noted in the finish.

1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

The wood-spoke wheels feature black rims with red pinstripes and are mounted with Lester whitewall tires. A full-size spare is mounted under a cover out back. The suspension features semi-elliptical leaf springs all around, and braking is handled by mechanical drums at all four corners.

1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

The cabin features front and rear benches trimmed in brown cloth with gray door panels and wood trim on the dashboard and door panels. Features include a driver-side windshield wiper, a windshield-mounted spotlight, and rear window shades. Moth damage can be seen on the door panels.

1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

The four-spoke steering wheel fronts a painted steel dashboard and instrumentation including a Stewart Warner barrel speedometer, a Borg Electric clock, and gauges for amperage, oil pressure, fuel level, and water temperature. Just over 56k miles are shown on the five-digit odometer. Total mileage is unknown.

1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

The 217ci OHV straight-eight features a 5.5:1 compression ratio and was factory rated at 86 horsepower. The IMS Museum staff replaced the cracked factory carburetor with a replacement Stromberg unit mounted on a machined-aluminum adapter. Additional service performed in preparation for the sale included a cleaning of the spark plugs, a throttle linkage adjustment, and a freeing of the seized water pump. The removed carburetor is included in the sale and can be seen in the gallery.

1929 Marmon Model 78 Sedan

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed sliding-gear transmission with reverse. New fuel lines were installed, the seized fuel pump was freed, and the fuel tank was flushed in preparation for the sale. Corrosion is noted underneath.

A driving video is viewable above.

Located inside the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, the IMS Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on the support of visitors, members, donors, and corporate partners to make possible their daily operations, exhibits, restoration and preservation initiatives, and educational programming. To learn more about the IMS Museum and the many ways you can show support, including their “Adopt-a-Car” program, please click here.

Auction Result

Winning Bid USD $32,500 by livestudio
Auction Ended March 22, 2021 at 11:26AM PT
Bids 27
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BaT Essentials

Seller: IMSMuseum
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
Listing Details
  • Chassis: YINN42
  • Engine Number: N9613
  • 56k Miles Shown, TMU
  • 217ci OHV Straight-Eight
  • Three-Speed Sliding-Gear Transmission
  • Burgundy w/Black Fenders
  • Brown Cloth Upholstery
  • Four-Wheel Drum Brakes
  • Replacement Carburetor
  • Trippe Driving Lights
  • Windshield-Mounted Spotlight
  • Purchased by IMS Foundation in 1999
Private Party or Dealer: Private Party
Lot #44945