Sujet Les véhicules de collection, ou comment l'imperfection rend amoureux

This 1939 Graham “Spirit of Motion” Model 97 Coupe was designed by the famous Amos Northup, and was unlike anything at the time. From its styling to its features the car is pretty wild. A factory hot rod from 1939, it sported dual exhaust, every option available and the 217-inch 6-cylinder engine had an aluminum head, aluminum pistons, and most importantly a supercharger. It produced 116 horsepower, more than an 8 cylinder Buick engine of the time. This car also has the incredibly rare overdrive transmission option, said to let it reach speeds of well over 100mph, quite remarkable for a car from 1939. This one hasn’t been registered since 1954 according to the seller, but he was able to start it up and drive it across his property and into the shed where it is currently stored. It is available in Walla Walla, Washington for $9,000.

Fully embracing the art deco movement of the era, the car had rave reviews and won numerous design awards including the salons d’elegance in Paris but it was a sales flop in the US. It also achieved 25mpg in testing, winning the U.S Economy championship at the time, and has unique features like “hill-holder” on the brakes. The car was last licensed in the 1954, and production figures are not available but because of the lack of success in the USA, not many were produced. The Graham club which has done extensive research on the “Spirit of Motion” estimates that there are less than 25 or 30 remaining combination coupes in existence. This is a very rare configuration being the 2 door coupe so comps are very difficult to find. Restored 4 door sedans seem to go for about $35k these days. That said, there are believed to be about 100 4-door sedans remaining but less than 30 of the coupes.

Originally a New Mexico car, the only other place it has lived is in the high desert of Eastern Washington. According to the seller, most of the last 35 years it has been in a garage. There is little in the way of cancer rust with the exception being the rear fenders. Exterior is worn down to primer, and the openings above rear wheel wells are rusted out. The seller says that the trunk looks scary but it is just heavy surface rust and is filled with parts. Some chrome and stainless trim is missing as are several emblems. The tail lights are not original, as the originals are up higher on the body. This is the only modification from original according to the seller. There are no major dents or body damage.

All the upholstery, door panels and headliner must be restored. The steering wheel needs new plastic grip and glazing, and the dash has surface rust. Plastic dash trim is ruined as it is on all of these models, but there is a maker of reproduction trim. All the instrument gauges still functioned when the seller ran the car. They all gauges use electrical senders instead of mechanical as most cars through the 60′s. The glass-face clock in good condition, but the radio is missing. The floor has heavy surface rust but is structurally sound. All glass must be replaced, but every piece is flat.

The engine is said to have more head bolts than any other 6-cylinder flathead ever produced because of the factory supercharger. Parts for this car can actually be sourced. When the company died, the parts were bought up and not destroyed. Graham designed the engine but didn’t have the casting facilities so they hired “Continental” engines to make it and when Graham went out of business, Continental bought the rights and continued producing a lower performance version up until 1990. The result of this is that parts are easily sourced. The superchargers are relatively maintenance free and can supposedly be rebuilt by an outfit in Texas.

Before starting the car, the seller had marvel mystery oil in the cylinders for several weeks and topped it off to ensure no dry start. It ran on 5 cylinders but he said he could tell it was freeing up and it got better the longer it ran. With some coaxing the 6th cylinder could come on board as the rings freed up. He still recommends an entire rebuild and restoration. When he bought it, he put air in the tires and towed it 10 miles on its own 4 wheels. He had someone following and another riding inside the car. No noises or protests were reported and the suspension cycled correctly and rode well. The frame is coated in grease and structurally very sound according to the seller, and looks complete and original.

The car is offered on a bill of sale only, as it does not have a title. The seller has the receipts and bills of sale transferring ownership since 1978. he has a record and details of ownership dating back to 1976 in New Mexico. He also has an extensive 100+ page book with all available knowledge on this car. History, options, specifications, advertisements, sales literature, as well as part numbers and sources.