This is my late father's 1929 Graham-Paige model 837 Limousine. This was the first classic he restored.
When he purchased it from Wilbur Gerow, the 92 year old second owner in 1994, it looked more like this
There was a lot more too it than what you see, in several very large crates.
The Story goes like this.
In 1929, Paramount pictures and their Publix Theater chain bought somewhere between 11 and 15 of these Graham-Paige 837 Limousines for a song as the Great Depression kind of soured limo sales. They then took them to the Harry O. McGee Manufacturing company, and had them modified to look like a locomotive. We certainly have found traces of 13 cars, only 3 exist today, one in Portland Oregon area, one in Massachusetts, and this one, in San Diego, California. There was another one in the Harrahs resort collection in Reno Nevada, but it was in very bad shape and was parted out. We currently have the front axle, wheels, Continental "Straight Eight" engine and the transmission from that car.
The purpose of the "sound train" was as a VIP car for movie openings and Theater openings in 14 districts in the USA. This was the car stationed in Los Angeles.
The fender seats are for "Bathing Beauties". The Paramount group would commonly place Starlets on these seats during parades.
The hood piece weighs about 250 pounds and is a struggle to get off with four strong young men. The bell is original, but the steam whistle is a donkey whistle added later to replace what was missing.
A view from one of the storage lifts puts the 9 foot long nose of this beast into perspective.
The drivetrain is again based on the 837 chassis and body, a 4 speed transmission, and a continental straight eight engine. The Straight-Eight was a very large powerplant and was phased out for Vee configured engines by the mid-1930s.
From right to left, My father, my Uncle Ken, Me. and in front, my brother Paul, at an event with the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.
This was the first version of the restoration process, later the rims were painted yellow and many chrome bits were added or re-chromed.
The rear end has seating for 3 brave souls, including my son Zach, and my nephew Michael. As you can imagine, children are enthralled, and anybody that does not smile when seeing this car, have no soul...
In 2003, my father towed this beast from San Diego California to Portland Oregon, to meet with the other two left in existence. He stole the show...
None of us really want to maintain and do another mechanical restoration as parts are extremely scarce, and working on and driving this old and rare of a classic car is very difficult, so we have decided that we will be selling this piece of automotive history. it will be coming with a crate of spares, and a lot of history and memories. Hopefully, it will be going to a museum in Los Angeles, California, where it once lived.
Thanks for coming along!
All imagery by @dawg-boy
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That car is an amazing piece of movie history. It certainly stole the show at the 2003 meetup. You dad did some awesome work on it.
Wow what a machine never seen one before :)
It's like the one car to rule them all... Too bad it is the most uncomfortable thing to drive ever...
That takes away the fun then.