- This Hupmobile K-321 Cabriolet Roadster is a superb example of the exceptionally rare pre-war American roadster, offered with a strong maintenance history and benefitting from a previous restoration.
- It is now powered by a 4.1-litre naturally aspirated straight-six, producing around 101bhp, driving the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission.
- The car is understood to be 1 of just 5 K-321 Cabriolet Roadsters known to still exist.
- The car was originally an Australia-delivered model, which was imported into the UK by Waterside Classics of Glasgow in 2004, and first registered with the DVLA in December 2005.
EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES
- Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, the Hupp Motor Car Company was founded in 1909, offering its first model, the Model 20, that same year.
- Produced late in the company’s life, prior to its closure in 1939, this 1933 ‘Model K’ roadster is presented in a handsome Cream and Brown colour scheme with a brown wood-framed convertible roof, over a brown leather-trimmed interior, with a fold-out dickey seat and accented by wood-effect paintwork on the dashboard and door cards.
- It rides on a set of 17-inch wire wheels finished in cream with chrome hub caps, shod with Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tyres.
- The factory specification includes two side-mounted spare wheels with metal covers and brown leather straps, twin trumpet horns, sun visors, a rear-view mirror with an in-built analogue clock, a heater, a wood veneer and leather steering wheel cover, a centre-mounted spotlight, interior indicators, and electric windscreen wipers.
- The car features an upgraded, fully rebuilt and restored 4.1-litre straight-six engine from a 1941 Hupmobile Skylark.
- Included in the sale will be the replaced engine that matches the chassis. This was replaced due to a cracked block.
- The vehicle will be supplied with many historical articles, adverts, literature, owner history and brochures.
CONDITION
- There is no known bodywork damage.
- The cream and brown paintwork is reported to be in generally excellent condition. There is some light bubbling on the front offside wing, mild deterioration on the windscreen rubber, some blemishes on the driver’s step plate, a small rust spot on the passenger door lower hinge, and some slight cracking on the dickey seat steps.
- Inside, the interior is presented in great shape, though there are some scuffs on the leather trim in the driver’s footwell, a light ‘patina’ on the rear-view mirror, some blemishes on the driver’s tread plate trim, and very light creasing on the seats, but no wear or discolouration whatsoever.
- There are no known electrical or mechanical faults.
- This vehicle is exempt from mandatory MOT testing due to its age. Its last test was conducted on 16 February 2012 at 58,773 miles, resulting in a clean, first-time pass.
SERVICE HISTORY
- This K-321’s most recent maintenance was carried out in March 2020 by independent mechanic Dave Palmer, which consisted of a full engine replacement including new fuel-feed pipes and a brazed lower radiator feed union pipe.
- Extensive interior recommissioning was carried out in May 2014 by County Coachtrimmers, which included the reupholstering of all seats, new carpets, a new fabric convertible roof and other interior cosmetic touches.
- The car’s brightwork was all re-chromed in around 2016.
SUMMARY
This Hupmobile K-321 Cabriolet Roadster is particularly smart example of the extremely rare pre-war roadster, offered with a strong maintenance history. Believed to be one of only five remaining examples and benefitting from prior cosmetic and mechanical restoration, it would make a discerning addition to any collection of sought-after vintage cars.
