After several trials with multiple cylinders, Marmon opts for a four-cylinder engine. The 1911 season will be exciting with the first edition of the Indianapolis 500. Marmon prepares with great care that event which will soon be the best symbol of endurance racing in the United States.
With Ray Harroun who was the pilot of the brand, Marmon brings significant innovations : the return to a six-cylinder engine, the adaptation of the tires to long-distance events and the retro-viewfinder mirror that provides an additional comfort by avoiding the driver to be accompanied by an assistant for appreciating his imminent overrun by a competitor.
Ray Harroun wins the 1911 Indy 500 miles. His Marmon nicknamed The Wasp completes the 200 laps in 6 hours and 42 minutes. He had left the car to his assistant for only 35 laps in mid-racing.
The prestige of this victory brings Marmon to introduce in their catalog two high-end six-cylinder models, the massive tourer model 48 and the less powerful but lighter 41 Speedster.
Such a luxury is indeed very expensive. It is believed that a total quantity of only six 41 Speedsters has been produced. One of them made in 1914 was found in great condition in 1947 in Wisconsin. The story of its earlier 33 years is unknown.
This car was sold for $ 616K including premium by Gooding in Pebble Beach in 2006. It is estimated $ 1M for sale by the same auction house in the same venue on August 20, lot 054.
SOLD for $ 1.02M including premium
A blast from 100 years in the past. This 1914 #Marmon 41 Speedster. Heading to #PebbleBeach, Aug 20/21st! #GCoPB pic.twitter.com/0P690yTgEw
— Gooding & Company (@GoodingCompany) August 9, 2016