Presented in brown with tan fenders and beltline stripes, this 1930 Marmon Big Eight Model 112 sedan received a badge at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and a CCCA 1st Place Senior in 2017 at the Spring Grand Classic. With coachwork by the Hayes Body Corporation, this example features dual fender- mounted spares with mirrors, fender lamps, driving lamps, a luggage rack and other details setting the Big Eight apart from other luxury brands on the market. One of three Marmon models available for 1930, the Big Eight was available with a choice of two chassis: one measuring 136 inches, the other measuring 130 inches, both powered by the new 315.2 CI L-head inline 8-cylinder engine and 4-speed manual transmission, as seen here. The chassis features a semi-floating axle with 4.55:1 gears, front and rear semi-elliptical leaf springs, and internally expanding 4-wheel mechanical brakes, and the Marmon rolls on Dayton wire wheels with whitewall tires. Like the rest of the Marmon, the brown interior is a place of elegance and refinement, with pleated cloth upholstery and full carpeting. The rear section is fitted with jump seats. Wood trim abounds in careful amounts, balancing the brightwork. In 1924, George Williams, a former GM executive and major stockholder at Marmon’s parent company, Nordyke & Marmon, was made president of Marmon Motors, thus moving Howard Marmon to the position of vice president of engineering. Sales had leveled out, and Marmon’s place as a builder of fine luxury cars was in question; the company was looking for fresh ideas. Williams believed strongly that three tactics would firmly reestablish the company back into the luxury market: one, sportier designs with a formal touch; two, a standard inline 8-cylinder engine; and three, a V-16. As such, Marmon’s well known, durable and famous inline 6-cylinder ceased production, and Howard Marmon began developing both an inline-8 and a V-16 engine. In December 1929, the company introduced the Big Eight with styling that heavily reflected Howard Marmon’s earlier designs, luxurious interiors and a variety of body styles. Well made, fast and robust, the Big Eight became a favorite among luxury car buyers, although fears revolving around the economy tempered sales. For 1931, Marmon introduced the Sixteen with a 491 CI V-16, but Cadillac had already introduced a V-16 engine and word was out that Peerless was also developing a V-16. Interestingly, both the Cadillac and Peerless V-16s would be codeveloped by former Marmon engineers. By 1933, Marmon Motors reorganized and ceased producing motor vehicles, shifting their focus to produce components for other car companies.
