Marquette Nameplate Ended With GM's Version

August 06, 2023  •  Leave a Comment
1930 Marquette photographed by Glenn Franco Simmons.1930 MarquetteMarquette has been used on a few different brands and makes of cars over the years.

I photographed this 1930 Marquette at the National Car Museum in Reno in 2011. There were earlier, non-GM makes and brands of Marquette, but those models ceased after GM purchased two early automotive companies.

"Late in 1929, the Marquette was revived and introduced as an inexpensive companion line to Buick," according to the information display at the National Car Museum. "It was hoped the Marquette would pull Buick out of The {Great} Depression slump.

"The Marquette was a light, economical automobile offered in six body styles with wood-spoke wheels. Wire wheels and side-mounts were available accessories.

"The sport roadster was available in rumble seat style and featured a folding windshield and an access door for golf clubs and other sports equipment."

The museum said 35,007 Marquettes were produced, with 2,397 as sport roadster models. The museum also noted that the Marquette had a lot of competition in the low-price bracket that it competed in. By the end of 1930, production ceased.
In the early years of the 20th century, the automotive industry embarked on a transformative journey, giving birth to numerous legendary car brands.
 
One such brand that stands out was the 1930 Marquette, a car that left an indelible mark on automobile enthusiasts and collectors alike.
 
I photographed this 1930 Marquette at the National Car Museum in Reno, Nev., in 2011. There were earlier, non-GM makes and brands using the nameplate of Marquette, but those models ceased after GM purchased two early automotive companies.
 
“Late in 1929, the Marquette {name} was revived and introduced as an inexpensive companion line to Buick," according to the information display at the National Car Museum. “The Marquette was a light, economical automobile offered in six body styles with wood-spoke wheels. Wire wheels and side-mounts were available accessories.
 
1930 Marquette photographed by Glenn Franco Simmons.1930 MarquetteMarquette has been used on a few different brands and makes of cars over the years.

I photographed this 1930 Marquette at the National Car Museum in Reno in 2011. There were earlier, non-GM makes and brands of Marquette, but those models ceased after GM purchased two early automotive companies.

"Late in 1929, the Marquette was revived and introduced as an inexpensive companion line to Buick," according to the information display at the National Car Museum. "It was hoped the Marquette would pull Buick out of The {Great} Depression slump.

"The Marquette was a light, economical automobile offered in six body styles with wood-spoke wheels. Wire wheels and side-mounts were available accessories.

"The sport roadster was available in rumble seat style and featured a folding windshield and an access door for golf clubs and other sports equipment."

The museum said 35,007 Marquettes were produced, with 2,397 as sport roadster models. The museum also noted that the Marquette had a lot of competition in the low-price bracket that it competed in. By the end of 1930, production ceased.
“The sport roadster was available in rumble-seat style and featured a folding windshield and an access door for golf clubs and other sports equipment.”
 
The museum said 35,007 Marquettes were produced, with 2,397 as sport roadster models. The museum also noted that the Marquette had so much competition in the low-price bracket that it competed in that it could not survive; production ended in 1930.
 
“It was hoped the Marquette would pull Buick out of The {Great} Depression slump,” according to the museum.
 
In the Marquette, GM tried to capture the hearts of consumers looking for a combination of luxury, performance and affordability. This remarkable car achieved this balance, standing out from its contemporaries.
 
The 1930 Marquette boasted a sleek and elegant design, capturing the essence of the Art Deco movement prevalent in that era. With its rounded edges, sweeping lines, and chrome accents, the Marquette epitomized class and sophistication. It featured a spacious cabin, providing an incredibly comfortable ride for both driver and passengers.
 
Under the hood, the Marquette excelled in performance as well. Powered by a 60-horsepower straight-six engine, the vehicle delivered a thrilling driving experience with impressive acceleration and top speeds for its era.
 
Its engineering prowess was complemented by refined mechanical features, including hydraulic brakes and an advanced suspension system, ensuring a smooth and controlled ride even on challenging terrains.
 
One notable aspect of the 1930 Marquette was its commitment to safety. This was a time when automotive safety standards were still in their infancy, and Marquette took a proactive approach to ensure the well-being of its passengers. The car featured sturdy body construction, which enhanced occupant protection in case of a collision.
 
Additionally, Marquette incorporated various safety measures, such as headlamps with built-in automatic dimming capability, ensuring optimal visibility for night driving.
 
“The Marquette’s most distinctive styling feature was its herringbone grille,” according to Wikipedia. “Reviewers at the time described it either looking like a small Oldsmobile or small Cadillac.”
 
“Along with Viking, LaSalle and Pontiac, the Marquette was conceived to span a price gap in General Motors’ market segmentation plan,” according to Wikipedia. “{It} shared the GM B platform with the Buick Standard Six and Buick Master Six. Marquette was placed below Buick, but above Viking which was to be sold in Oldsmobile dealerships. The Marquette arrived in dealer showrooms on June 1, 1929.
 
“Compared to Oldsmobile’s Viking, which enjoyed a total production run of only 7,224 over three model years (1929, 1930, 1931) Marquette produced 35,007 vehicles in the U.S. during its brief one-year life span; additionally, GM Canada turned out another 6,535 Marquettes.”
 
Nearly 2,400 (2,397) Roadsters were produced, but it wasn’t enough.
 
“Two factors worked against the Marquette,” according to Wikipedia. “The first involved Oldsmobile, which lost sales to Marquette; the second was that Buick executives did not feel that enough Marquettes were sold to warrant the extra burden on the bottom line given the state of the economy.
 
“Buick gave no advance warning of the termination of the Marquette; just four months before the shutdown, 4,000 Marquette signs were shipped to dealers in the hope of better days ahead.
 
After the shutdown of Marquette, the engine production tools were shipped to Germany, where it was used to power the original Opel Blitz. This was the first link between Opel and Buick, a sporadic tie-up which was to last until General Motors finally severed ties with Opel in the 21st century.”
 
GM chose the Buick Special to serve as an entry-level car after Marquette production ended.
 
The 1930 Marquette stands as a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the early automotive industry. With its elegant design, outstanding performance, and commitment to safety, the Marquette left an indelible mark on the automotive landscape of its time. Though limited in production, its enduring appeal persists, captivating the hearts of those who appreciate automotive history and innovation.

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