1928 Marmon Model 68 Roadster
Born from Marmon’s ambitious attempt to democratize luxury engineering, this roadster represented a significant departure from the company’s traditionally expensive offerings.
The Model 68 debuted in 1928 as part of the straight-eight phenomenon sweeping American manufacturers, following Packard’s pioneering work with refined multi-cylinder powerplants.
The roadster’s proportions reflected careful design, with flowing fenders and classic late-1920s styling cues that upheld Marmon’s reputation for elegant coachwork. Built on a 114-inch wheelbase, the car struck an appealing balance between sporting character and practical dimensions.
Under the hood was a 202 cubic-inch L-head straight-eight engine producing 58 horsepower, a notable upgrade from the previous “Little Marmon’s” smaller powerplant. This inline-eight configuration delivered smooth and refined operation, appealing to buyers seeking sophistication without the premium pricing of larger Marmons.
Starting at just $1,395, the Series 68 helped Marmon achieve remarkable sales growth (production increased by nearly 60 percent in 1928). However, this success proved temporary, as the economic downturn of 1930 devastated sales across the luxury car market, contributing to Marmon’s eventual decline.
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