1939 Graham Series 97 Supercharged "Sharknose" Sedan

Description

1939 Graham Series 97 Supercharged "Sharknose" Sedan

Easily one of the most unique-looking cars to ever arrive in our showrooms, MotoeXotica Classic Cars is proud to present this seldom-seen 1939 Graham Series 97 Supercharged Sedan, nicknamed the "Sharknose." Approximately 3,600 copies were sold in 1939, and are rarely seen today.

Finished in Egyptian Ivory, the car's paint and trim are in overall very good order, however, there are some minor blemishes most visible on the roof, hood and at the taillights.

The car's windows are clear and crack-free, its lights are intact and include a pair of foglights perched atop the front bumper. Interestingly, the car's taillights are set just below the rear window, almost an homage to the central high-mounted stop lights nearly a half-century later. This Graham rolls on older wide whitewall tires surrounding full factor moon wheel covers.

The car is very unusual and a sight to see. The engine bay is quite tidy, the battery appears new and the bumpers are in very good order and fit well to the car's body.

Under hood is a 218 CID L-head straight six-cylinder engine fitted with a supercharger. The engine was Graham-engineered and built by Continental. Forced induction was employed by a variety of car manufacturers in the 1930s, such as Auburn and Duesenberg. Backing this motor is a three-speed manual transmission with a column-mounted shifter. The car has been converted to a 12-volt electrical system and has new gas shock absorbers, too.

Inside, the car has a newer Saddle interior. The front and rear bench seats are in excellent overall condition, with only a minor blemish visible on the driver's side of the front bench. The carpet, inner door panels and headliner are in similar excellent shape, while the three-spoke banjo steering wheel, instrument panel and shifter with its whimsical 8-ball top are in very good order. There are even patterned inlays around each of the side windows. The instrument panel has a mix of original Art Deco gauges with new SunPro gauges for engine temperature, voltage and oil pressure. Wipers, speedo, odo and tach are inop. There's even a clock designed to mimic the speedometer facing the front right passenger. Completing the interior is a modern JVC AM/FM stereo with CD player and remote control.

What Graham stylists originally called "Spirit of Motion" translated to "sharknose" in the general public's eyes. With a reverse slanted nose, square headlights and other styling techniques meant to make the car appear moving even while stopped, the car's Streamline Moderne styling polarized people, much like Chrysler's Airflow design did five years before. Amos Northup, one of the least-known automotive designers, penned the Sharknose. He sought to create a car with aerodynamic efficiency and futuristic lines. However, he died before he completed the design.

As much as it flopped here, Graham Sharknoses sold well in Europe, particularly in France, where the car's design won an award at the Paris Salon d'Élégance.

Some of the low-priced competition to this Graham in 1939 included Chevrolet's Master Deluxe, Ford's Fordor and Plymouth's P8.

Documentation includes original owner's manual, instructions for the LED Intellitronix digital fuel gauge and three foam core boards with period Graham advertising.

If you're fine with being the center of attention at long stoplights or wherever you would park this car, please visit MotoeXotica Classic Cars today and take a gander at this Graham.

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This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 44,553 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

VIN: 501277

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