1928 Locomobile 8/70 Four-Door Sedan

Lot details
Registration No: DS 8336
Chassis No: LOC 7188
Mot Expiry: April 2010

Locomobile started out as a manufacturer of steam vehicles in 1899 before making the transition to petrol power some four years later. Modelling its first internal combustion design on a contemporary Panhard, the marque proceeded to enjoy quite some competition success winning the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup and securing a class victory on the 1913 Glidden Tour (though, its 1905 Gordon Bennett entry had been a shambles). Falling prey to financial difficulties after World War I, the Connecticut-based firm was bought by ex-General Motors impresario William Durant and his backers during 1922. Intended as the jewel in the William Durant's crown, Locomobile was soon being promoted as `The Best Car Built in America'. Part of a new wave of more advanced yet cost effective cars, the 8/70 was introduced in 1927. Based around a massive cross-braced ladder-frame chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, Ross cam and trunnion steering and four-wheel Bendix Perrot type drum brakes, it was powered by a 246.7 cu in (4043cc) sidevalve engine allied to three-speed manual transmission. A proprietary unit supplied by Lycoming, the straight-eight powerplant featured a five-bearing crankshaft (complete with Lanchester damper), chain-driven camshaft, centrifugal water pump, full-pressure oil lubrication and steel-reinforced light alloy pistons. Quoted as developing some 70hp @ 3,000rpm, it endowed the 8/70 - available in Sedan, Brougham or Coupe guises - with highly respectable performance. Lacking sufficient reserves to ride out the Wall Street Crash, the once proud company closed its doors in 1929. Today survivors are few and far between with the Locomobile Society knowing the whereabouts of just twenty-one or so eight-cylinder cars.

Finished in black over red with grey cloth upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "good" (electrical equipment), "good to mint" (paintwork), "overhauled" (engine), "very good" (coachwork) or "excellent" (three-speed gearbox, interior trim) condition. Reportedly "purchased from the renowned Harrah Collection in 1984", `DS 8336' is further understood to have been "extensively restored thereafter". As well as being treated to a major engine overhaul by Nuttals of Parwen during 2003 which included the fitting of "new piston rings, fresh big end bearings and hardened valve seats", other recent work has apparently seen the Locomobile benefit from "a new crown wheel and pinion and an electronic ignition conversion for its distributor" (these latter improvements being carried out in 2005). Riding on steel wheels, this imposing Vintage Sedan is offered for sale with State of Tennessee `Certificate of Entitlement' (1928), MOT certificate valid until April 2010 and historic class (free) road tax.