Vehicle Description
Since building a massive fortune in the gunpowder business during
the 19th century, the du Pont family rose to prominence as one of
America's most powerful industrial families. In the early 20th
century, their interests expanded into the chemical industry, and
then automobiles. Pierre S. du Pont was a crucial figure in
rescuing General Motors after the notoriously unpredictable William
"Billy" Durant nearly ran the company into the ground. Best known
today for their global chemical business, the du Pont clan has been
involved in a great many industries over time. One of the most
intriguing projects was the Du Pont automobile of 1919-1930, a
distinguished motorcar worthy of a famous family name. Paul du Pont
registered Du Pont Motors just before the outbreak of World War I,
initially to build marine engines. Following the Armistice, the
company shifted its focus to automobile production. As to not
conflict with Pierre du Pont's interests in General Motors, the Du
Pont automobile sat in the upper echelon of the market, along with
Stutz, Pierce-Arrow, and the like. In a deliberate move to help the
car stand out in a competitive market, Du Pont chose the 1919
International Salon rather than the New York Auto Show to debut the
first model. Period advertisements proclaimed the Du Pont was "As
aristocratic as its name." The earliest Du Ponts used four-cylinder
engines designed and built in-house, but later they switched to
Herschell-Spillman, then Wisconsin engines, the latter being known
for powering the original Stutz Bearcat. In 1929 Du Pont introduced
its most famous, and most popular model of all, the Model G. It
featured a 322 cubic-inch eight-cylinder L-head supplied by
Continental engine and chassis options ranging from 125-inches to a
stately 150-inches in wheelbase, with a range of spectacular bodies
by prestigious builders including Merrimac, Derham, and Waterhouse.
The Model G offered exceptional quality and high levels of
performance. The raciest offering was a 2-seat speedster, which
inspired a four-seat tourer that ran in the 1929 Le Mans 24 hour
race, carrying the American flag alongside Stutz and Chrysler. The
Du Pont showed promising performance but was eventually sidelined
by mechanical troubles. The Model G proved to be Du Pont's final
production car, as the receivers moved in after just 273 cars (and
3 Model H chassis). Like many of their counterparts in the prestige
automobile market, the stock market crash that triggered the Great
Depression sealed Du Pont Motors' fate, and despite their financial
standings, the du Pont family saw no reason to keep the project
afloat. Presented in the splendid original shade of Sarasota Blue,
this stunning Du Pont Model G is the only surviving example to
feature the gorgeous 2-seat roadster coachwork by Waterhouse of
Webster, Massachusetts. Chassis number G840 has a fascinating
history, having been cared for by several noted collectors,
including William F. Harrah and the du Pont family. This particular
car is the sole surviving Waterhouse-bodied roadster, personally
designed by Du Pont's Pacific Coast agent, Mr. E.A. Van Trump Jr,
denoted by a special plaque on the dash. The specification includes
a 142-inch wheelbase chassis, and the so-called West Coast Package,
which added chrome wire wheels, radiator stone guard, winged
radiator mascot, and single-tone paint on the body and fenders with
a cream accent panel on the door. Standard cars generally had black
wings and painted wheels, so this car's paint scheme and bright
chrome give it a sophisticated and sporty character. Waterhouse is
widely known for bodies of exquisite quality and style, and this
car is certainly no exception. Mr. Van Trump presumably used the
vehicle as a demonstrator before selling it in 1930 to its first
private owner, Mr. Charles W. List of Los Angeles, who paid $6,500
for the privilege of owning this unique and prestigious Du Pont
Model G. List owned the car for 22 years, holding on to it through
the darkest period of the Great Depression. He then sold it to
Samuel Timpson of Inglewood, California, who owned it for the next
11 years. In 1963, G840 joined the world-famous collection of
William F. Harrah in Reno, Nevada. The Du Pont remained a part of
the collection until 1984 - four years after Harrah's death. It was
purchased at a Harrah's auction by another world-famous collector,
John Mozart. At the time of Mozart's purchase, the car was tired
but remarkably complete, needing a full restoration. It stayed with
Mozart briefly before returning to its roots in the hands of
William K. du Pont. Before taking delivery, du Pont gave the car to
Stu Laidlaw in California for a full restoration. The initial
restoration is well-documented through receipts and correspondence.
In 1989, it returned to Delaware for the first time since 1930,
back in the original family's hands. S/N G840 remained in the du
Pont family collection for the following 27 years, only appearing
occasionally at shows and special exhibits. The most recent owner
acquired it from the du Pont family in 2012. At the time, the 1980s
restoration was due for a refresh, so the new owner enlisted Steve
Babinsky's highly-respected Automotive Restorations in Lebanon, New
Jersey. Babinsky performed a world-class refurbishment to
spectacular concours standards, completed in 2015. Numerous details
were discovered to be unique to this car, including the build
plaque with Mr. Van Trump's name, and the Du Pont-branded spring
gaiters. The fit and finish of the coachwork are exemplary of
Waterhouse's typically high standards, and the presentation is
sublimely elegant in its original paint color, with subtle light
blue accents, a straw-colored band in the door, and lush, dark blue
leather interior. Since its restoration, this stunning du Pont has
participated in a handful of select concours events, scoring a
class award at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It also
earned an AACA Senior National First Prize at Hershey in 2017,
scoring 100 points and winning Best Open Car in its class, and a
100-point CCCA Senior First Prize. It remains in breathtaking,
meticulously-detailed condition. As the sole-surviving Du Pont to
feature this gorgeous Roadster coachwork by Waterhouse and
exceptionally well-documented history, G840 is a superb choice for
entry in the world's premier concours and touring events. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6586-1929-dupont-model-g-waterhouse-roadster/
