1941 Graham Hollywood Supercharged

   

This 1941 Graham Hollywood is one of approximately 1,378 examples produced by the American manufacturer, just 350 of which were built in the final year of production. Power is from a 218ci straight-six equipped with an optional supercharger and backed by a 3-speed manual transmission with a rare overdrive unit. Factory specifications include hydraulic drum brakes, an AM radio, roll-up windows, and a wool interior. This example was refurbished in the 1980s before being put on long-term display at the Branson Auto & Farm Museum in Missouri. The seller purchased the car from the museum in 2016 and refreshed the cosmetics, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, and installed a new $15k broadcloth wool interior. He has since added approximately 100 miles driving it to Dallas-area shows and events, where the car has received a handful of trophies and awards. This Graham Hollywood is now being offered with recent records, older photographs, and a clear Texas title in the seller’s name.

After the Auburn Automobile Company closed its doors in 1937, the tooling and dies for the Cord 810/812 were acquired by the Hupp Motor Car Corporation. Graham-Paige was contracted to build 350 Hupp Skylarks, which allowed them to utilize the stamps for their Hollywood sedan. The Hollywood received a redesigned nose section and grille due to its rear-wheel-drive layout, though from the cowl back it shares the same shape as the Gordon Buehrig-designed Cord Westchester sedan.

The unibody Hollywood features a split flush-mount windshield and front doors hinged from the B-pillar. This example reportedly received a light restoration in the 1980s, including rust repair and a repaint, before being displayed at the Branson Museum through 2016. The chrome grille and bumpers were re-plated in recent years, and a new windshield frame, windshield glass, felt window channels, and rubber gaskets for the vent windows have also been installed. 

Braking is managed by four-wheel hydraulic drums mounted to stamped steel wheels wearing chrome-plated covers and trim rings. Newer Goodyear Deluxe All Weather whitewalls are fitted at each corner.

The seller had the interior reupholstered in the original pattern with broadcloth wool at a cost of over $15k. This included new carpet, door cards, seat padding, and a headliner. Additional sound deadening has been added to the floor.

Gauges are centrally located in the aluminum instrument panel, where the radio and ignition switch also reside. The speedometer has been rebuilt, and 92k miles are shown on the odometer. Noted issues include an inoperable clock and vacuum-operated windshield wipers.

Graham-Paige began selling supercharged production engines in 1934. The rear-wheel-drive Hollywood is powered by a 218 cubic inch L-head straight-six that was designed and built by Graham with castings supplied by the Continental Motors Corporation. The water-cooled centrifugal supercharger was also designed and built by Graham. Mounted above the engine and driven by a vertical shaft running from a belt-drive worm gearbox, it is designed to deliver approximately 5 psi of boost. A column-shifted three-speed manual gearbox transmits power to the rear, and this car is one of just 15 equipped with overdrive. The engine was reportedly rebuilt in the 1980s, and the following work has been performed in recent years:

  • Rebuilt carburetor
  • New spark plugs, ignition wires, and points
  • New hoses and belts
  • Rebuilt fuel pump
  • Rebuilt water pump
  • New head gasket and bottom pan gasket

Suspension and driveline service performed within the past three years included the following:

  • Replacement tie-rod ends
  • Replacement kingpins and front wheel bearings
  • New U-joints
  • New axle pinion seal
  • Front and rear leaf spring bushings