The Marion is a rare survivor from a fascinating period of American motoring, when hundreds of manufacturers competed to establish themselves in the rapidly growing automobile industry.

Built in Indianapolis, Indiana, this 1913 Tourer combines a substantial four-cylinder engine with some unusual engineering. Today, its rarity is made even more remarkable by its New Zealand history. It is believed to be one of only two Marions imported into the country and has travelled less than 4,000 kilometres.

Built in Indianapolis

The Marion Motor Car Company produced automobiles from 1904 until 1915 in Indianapolis, a city that became an important centre of America's early motor industry.

Indianapolis was home to numerous automobile and component manufacturers, while the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909 helped establish the city's reputation as a place where automotive engineering and performance could be demonstrated and tested.

Marion was part of this thriving industry, producing a range of touring cars and smaller automobiles during its relatively brief existence.

A Performance Reputation

Marion developed a reputation for cars that combined useful power with relatively lightweight construction.

Like many manufacturers of the period, the company was searching for ways to improve performance without simply fitting increasingly large engines. Keeping weight under control allowed more of the engine's available power to be used to move the car rather than unnecessary bodywork and equipment.

For 1913, Marion offered several four-cylinder models, including touring cars intended to provide a balance of performance, passenger accommodation and comfort.

The Four-Cylinder Engine

This Marion is powered by a 3,236 cc four-cylinder engine with a bore and stroke of 101 mm × 101 mm.

The equal bore and stroke dimensions make it what is known as a "square" engine, meaning the diameter of each cylinder is the same as the distance travelled by the piston.

Engines of this period were designed to produce useful pulling power at relatively low speeds, an important characteristic when cars regularly encountered steep gradients and rough or poorly surfaced roads.

An Unusual Transmission

One of the most interesting mechanical features of this Marion is the location of its transmission.

The car provides three forward gears and reverse, but rather than having the gearbox mounted separately near the engine, the gearing is incorporated with the rear axle assembly.

This type of arrangement is known as a transaxle. By locating the transmission towards the rear of the car, designers could alter the distribution of mechanical components and weight along the chassis.

It is an unusual piece of engineering that distinguishes the Marion from many other automobiles of its era.

Touring in 1913

The open Tourer body was one of the most practical and popular configurations during the early years of motoring.

It provided accommodation for several passengers while keeping body construction relatively simple and light. A folding hood offered some protection from poor weather, although travelling in an open car remained a much more exposed experience than motoring today.

Long-distance journeys could involve unsealed roads, dust, mud and frequent mechanical attention. Cars such as the Marion therefore needed to combine passenger comfort with robust and accessible engineering.

A Short-Lived Manufacturer

Despite the quality and performance of its cars, Marion never achieved the enormous production volumes of manufacturers such as Ford.

Only around 7,000 Marion automobiles were built during the company's existence, and annual production remained comparatively modest.

Marion was one of many pioneering American manufacturers that disappeared as the automobile industry matured. Increasingly efficient mass production and intense competition made survival difficult for smaller companies that could not match the scale and resources of the industry's emerging giants.

Production of Marion automobiles ended in 1915.

An Exceptionally Rare New Zealand Survivor

This particular Marion has a remarkable history of its own.

It is believed to be one of only two examples of the marque imported into New Zealand. That alone makes it an unusual survivor, but its recorded mileage makes it even more extraordinary.

The car has travelled less than 4,000 kilometres.

For a vehicle more than a century old, such low recorded use is exceptional and adds considerably to its historical interest.

This Car

The 1913 Marion Tourer represents a period when automobile design was still remarkably diverse. Manufacturers were experimenting with different engine layouts, transmissions, chassis arrangements and approaches to achieving better performance.

Its 3.2-litre four-cylinder engine and unusual rear-mounted transmission provide a glimpse of that experimentation, while its open Tourer body reflects the practical realities of motoring before enclosed cars became the norm.

As one of only two Marions believed to have reached New Zealand, and with less than 4,000 kilometres recorded, this car is a rare survivor of both early American manufacturing and New Zealand motoring history.