Vehicle Description
Graham-Paige Motors was founded in 1928 after the Graham Brothers
shuttered their commercial vehicle business and purchased the
foundering Paige automobile company. They made quite a name for
themselves early on, producing highly stylish, well-built motorcars
aimed at the competitive mid-market. Early Grahams proved their
mettle at the race tracks of the world, including at storied venues
like the Brooklands circuit, and the firm employed the likes of Ray
Dietrich to fine tune the handsome styling. After initial success
with cars like the Blue Streak, things went pear-shaped for Graham,
and sales tapered off in the crowded market. When the new economy
models failed to boost interest, Graham hoped to recapture some of
their earlier magic with the introduction of a new design they
dubbed the "Spirit of Motion" in 1938. Despite its powerful
supercharged engine, the new car's radical styling, colloquially
known as the "shark nose," made it a commercial failure, and sales
plummeted. Desperate to save face, Graham partnered with Hupmobile
in 1940 to produce the Cord 810/812-derived Hupmobile Skylark, as
well as a Graham version, known as the Hollywood. The model
utilized leftover Cord 810/812 tooling, but was modified with rear
wheel drive and revised front-end styling by the respected John
Tjaarda. Offering upwards of 125 horsepower from the optional
supercharged Continental inline-six, the Hollywood had excellent
performance and handsome styling, yet it ultimately failed to catch
on, and just 1,860 were produced before Graham abandoned the
project after just five-months and shifted to wartime production,
ultimately selling the company to Joseph W. Frazer. This extremely
rare supercharged Graham Hollywood Sedan is one of just 354
produced for the 1941 model year, including non-supercharged
models. As one of fewer than 1,900 built in total, the Hollywood is
considerably rarer than the Cord on which it is based. This is one
of handful of surviving supercharged models, presented in honest,
well-preserved condition, having been part of the Frank Kleptz
collection since the late 1960s. This Graham holds the honorable
distinction of being the very car that reignited Frank's passion
for restoring cars, making it the symbolic cornerstone of his
collection. Finished in metallic strawberry red over a maroon
interior, it is a complete and sound car that could be returned to
the road with relatively minor sorting, or serve as an excellent
basis for a straightforward restoration. The semi-unitary body is
in very good condition overall, and most of the unique exterior
trim appears intact and serviceable. The L-head inline-six was
designed and produced by Continental, who had previously built the
Graham-designed eight-cylinder. Most of the correct fittings
remain, including the original Graham/McCulloch centrifugal
supercharger. Cursory checks have found the engine to be free, and
it runs on a supplementary fuel supply, though will need further
recommissioning. The Supercharged Graham Model 113 Hollywood is a
fascinating footnote of the late pre-war era. A curious amalgam of
outsourced design and engineering, the Hollywood was a last-ditch
effort that ultimately failed to save its maker's fortunes. The
futuristic styling proved popular with hot rodders, and unmolested
examples are an increasingly rare sight today. This is a rare
opportunity to acquire a well-preserved, top-spec Supercharged
Hollywood to refurbish or restore to concours condition. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6843-1941-graham-hollywood/
