Vehicle Description
Don't feel badly if you don't recognize the name Hupmobile, which
is an orphan brand that died in 1941 after years of producing some
pretty advanced and stylish automobiles. "The Father of Industrial
Design" Raymond Loewy designed these unique art-deco machines, with
the '36 and '37 being the rarest of the rare. This 1936 Hupmobile
618 G Touring Sedan is a great example of that outside-the-box
thinking, combining early aerodynamics and high style in a very
appealing package.
With a restoration that's approaching 30 years old, this car is
quite impressive overall. Sure, there are a few very minor signs of
use and age, but it could pass for a much fresher specimen and it's
still ideal for tours and casual shows where it will surely be a
topic of conversation for everyone who sees it. The flashy two-tone
paint job takes advantage of the body's lines to make for natural
break points and the sleek sedan looks more like a 4-door coupe
than a frumpy family car. Up front, the oval-shaped headlights are
neatly blended into the fenders and the raked-back grille was one
of the most streamlined of the period. The chrome is quite good as
well, and there are many small details that make cars like this
special: the hood ornament, the beautiful hood vents, and the
taillights with "HUPP" emblazoned on their lenses. Everywhere you
look, there's something you've never seen before to delight the
eye.
The gray cloth interior is a pretty accurate representation of what
you got in 1936, with basic patterns and attractive materials. The
front seat shows some minor wear but the spacious back seat area
looks quite fresh and offers lots of space for passengers. Suicide
doors are always a cool look and make it easy to slide into the
front seat without any contortions. Simple door panels with painted
garnish moldings and bright red accents are an interesting look
that probably would have stood out in 1936 and the driving position
is quite modern with a more vertical steering wheel than most of
its competitors. The instruments are arranged in a center panel and
show lovely art-deco lettering that was the height of fashion. This
car carries accessories like an AM radio (not functional, which is
typical of these ancient units) and aftermarket turn signals for
safety. A good-sized trunk includes a full-sized spare and
reasonable luggage space for tours and equipment.
The 245 cubic inch inline-six powerplant makes a burly 101
horsepower and a seamless flow of torque that makes the Hupp easy
to drive and lots of fun. It's not detailed for show, but there are
signs of care throughout the years and it was treated to a ring job
and valve adjustment about 3000 miles ago, so it runs great. And
while the Hupmobile name might not be familiar, the parts are not
terribly exotic nor difficult to find, so you can enjoy it without
worrying about the next set of spark plugs. A 3-speed manual
transmission feeds a set of gears that make for effortless
around-town driving without a lot of shifting, and it'll cruise at
50-55 MPH without getting winded. The restoration was obviously
comprehensive, because the chassis is in good shape with only signs
of use but no damage in its past. Attractive artillery-style wheels
were all the rage in 1936 and these carry whitewalls that have a
lot of life left in them.
An unusual, stylish, and fun car that's also VERY rare. Certainly
more unique and tastefully styled than the Chrysler Airflows of the
time, this Hupmobile delivers plenty of style that's sure to stand
out. Call today!
