Vehicle Description
The Du Ponts have long been one of America's wealthiest and most
powerful industrial families. Their financial interest in the
burgeoning Automobile industry came via Pierre S. du Pont, who
played a critical role 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 dozens of
industries over time, yet one of the most intriguing projects was
the du Pont automobile of 1919-1930 - a distinguished motorcar
worthy of the famous family name. Paul du Pont registered Du Pont
Motors just before World War I, initially to build marine engines.
Following the Armistice, the company shifted its focus to
automobile production. To not conflict with Pierre's interests in
General Motors, E. Paul positioned Du Pont Motors to compete with
prestigious marques like Stutz, Packard, and Pierce-Arrow. 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, with period advertisements proclaiming it was "As
aristocratic as its name." The earliest Du Pont cars used
proprietary four-cylinder engines, which the company soon abandoned
in favor of outside suppliers Herschell-Spillman, and later
Wisconsin Engines - the latter best known for powering the original
Stutz Bearcat. In 1929 Du Pont introduced its most famous and
best-selling car, the Model G. It utilized a 322 cubic-inch
eight-cylinder L-head engine produced by Continental and was
offered with wheelbase options ranging from 125-inches to a stately
150-inches, and with no fewer than sixteen body options by
prestigious coachbuilders including Merrimac, Derham, and
Waterhouse. Du Pont even tried their hands at racing, entering a
Model G four-seat tourer in the 1929 Le Mans 24 hour race. Despite
showing promise, it proved to be Du Pont's final production car as
the receivers moved in after just 273 Model Gs and 3 Model H
chassis. Like many of their contemporaries, the onset of the Great
Depression sealed Du Pont Motors' fate, and despite their financial
standing, the Du Pont family saw no reason to keep a money-losing
entity afloat. Of the 273 Model Gs produced, just 18 came with this
handsome Convertible Coupe coachwork by Waterhouse Company of
Webster, Massachusetts. This car, chassis number G-937, is the
final of the series built and was delivered new via the
Philadelphia Du Pont agency to the musician Nick Lucas. A
multi-talented Jazz instrumentalist and singer, Lucas enjoyed a
long career in music and movies from the early 1920s through the
1950s and beyond. He was also a connoisseur of Du Pont automobiles,
having owned at least two other Model Gs. Accompanying factory
build records confirm this is a genuine Waterhouse convertible
coupe, with equipment including a four-speed gearbox, Schebler
carburetor, 100 mph Waltham speedo, and a trunk rack. As delivered,
it featured an all-black livery with Espania Red wheels and Bedford
cord trim. Typical of nearly all Waterhouse bodies, the coachwork
is beautifully designed and crafted with subtle compound curvature
of the panels and elegantly restrained detailing. While it isn't
known precisely how long Mr. Lucas owned this Du Pont, it appears
the car survived the years remarkably intact. Photos from the early
2000s reveal it was complete and well-preserved, likely restored
once before in the 60s or 70s. It was subsequently treated to a
world-class professional restoration, finished off in a striking
red and black livery. As presented today, it displays superb panel
fit and paint quality with exquisite detailing and finish work. The
interior has been fully restored in black leather, and it is
authentically detailed with an engine-turned instrument panel,
DuPont-branded gauges, and a Waltham clock. Likewise, the original,
matching-numbers eight-cylinder engine is impeccably detailed and
presented true to its original specification. The overall
presentation is outstanding, befitting of a high-level concours
restoration. This lovely Waterhouse Du Pont has undeniable presence
thanks to the subtly curvaceous coachwork, impressive scale, and of
course, the gorgeous restoration. As a testament to its quality,
this car participated in the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance,
displayed alongside a select group of significant Du Pont
automobiles. It remains in superb condition and will undoubtedly be
a welcome entry into a wide array of premier concours events and
tours worldwide. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6952-1929-dupont-model-g-waterhouse-convertible-coupe/
