1920 Locomobile Cape Top Touring

Model 48. 95bhp 524 cu. in. seven main bearing T-head twin ignition six-cylinder inline engine with four-speed transmission, solid front axle with leaf springs, live rear axle with leaf springs and rear wheel mechanically actuated drum brakes. Wheelbase: 142″.  Body  designed by New York City based Holbrook body company

This Locomobile came from a  small town of Marion, Ohio, where it was believed to have belonged to a former First Lady Florence Kling Harding who retired to Marion following her husband, Warren Harding’s death in the summer of 1923. Mrs. Harding passed away the following year. Whether chassis no. 17285 ever belonged to the Harding”s may never be known, but it seems unlikely that a town as small as Marion would have had more than one family capable of owning a Locomobile.

 During the late 1970s or early 1980s, the car was given a restoration, including new paint, chrome (although to be correct, the brightwork should probably be nickel) and upholstery. At the time, the engine was carefully restored by a retired powerplant engineer from GM. In addition, the cooling system was cleverly updated by retaining a slice of the original core in the radiator shell, but hiding a modern truck radiator.