1939 Graham Sharknose - Graham Spirit of Motion 2 1 - A Thorough Description of Graham's Styling

What is a Graham car? This video shows all the details inside and out, including the engine. You'll even hear some history about the Graham Model 97 Spirit of Motion, also known as the Sharknose Graham. Part 2 of a 3 part video on the 1939 Graham Spirit of Motion automobile.
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[@josephconsoli4128]

Stunning example of one of the most beautiful American automobiles ever made. I happen to love art-deco streamline design, so this car is pure eye-candy for me. Art on wheels.

[@CarzPlus]

Wow, we really appreciate your kind words. Here's the playlist if you haven't already checked it out: kzbin.info/aero/PL_APaYrVINp99ykov-0IM3j07N4AMDuPy

[@DEEFIR]

Thanks for taking us through this tour! I mowed lawns as a kid in Rockford, IL. One of my customers was a man (b. 1899) who was an undertaker from the 30's until he retired. One car he spoke of was a Graham that he acquired during the WW2. He said that used cars were rationed during that time, and he was on a waiting list. Because he was a funeral director, he was moved up on the list. What he ended up with was a Graham, which had an aluminum head (?) Periodically, he'd be driving along and then he'd hear a 'pop' under the hood. This was a spark plug had worked loose. Did this model have an aluminum head?

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you for sharing your story, such a fine memory. Yes, they had aluminum heads in Superchargers. Most aluminum heads deteriorate over time due to electrolysis. I use a cast iron head from a non-supercharged car. I had an aluminum head for years on the car but never had a spark plug failure.

[@empi1972gtv]

John Blizzard and I were responsible for the interior. It was quite the task. Great to see this car again!

[@CarzPlus]

What a surprise to hear from you! Where are you now? We still tool around Prescott in this machine occasionally and we've had it in some local car shows. Your craftsmanship has been admired throughout the years. Here's our playlist for this car, in case you'd like to see more: kzbin.info/aero/PL_APaYrVINp99ykov-0IM3j07N4AMDuPy Thanks for watching!

[@empi1972gtv]

@@CarzPlus I live in Seattle now. Glad you're still enjoying the car!

[@asd36f]

Thats' the biggest clock I've ever seen on a dashboard! Very neat to use the bonnet ornament as the latch for the bonnet.

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you! We get a kick out of the Art Deco styling, too.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome video! I've heard of the Spirit of Motion. I didn't know until recently that it was called the *"Spirit of Motion."* It was referred to as the "sharknose", apparently derisive description because of the shape of its front end. In fact I remember reading a Newsweek magazine article talking about the worst car designs and style of the 20th Century. The Graham "Sharknose" Spirit of Motion was one of them. Under the picture of the car, a caption said *"Graham "Sharknose", deserved to sink,"* which at the time, I thought was total bullshit. Although I didn't know much about cars at the time, I was only 12 or 13 yrs of age at the time, I knew what I liked in terms of automotive styling and appearance.

[@CarzPlus]

Remarkable story! If I remember correctly, David's first impression of the Graham came from a book titled 'Auto Album' by Tad Burness. The book was published by Scholastic. I think one of Tad's books had the Kissel in it as well. At any rate, it's really cool that you discovered the car and had already determined your tastes at such a young age, much in the way that David did. The Sharknose , as so many of us now know it, is gaining popularity. Some of the Graham Owners Club International members' cars are fetching 1st & 2nd place in various car shows. Thanks for writing. (Gosh! I don't know why it took us so long to answer.) ~Trish

[@SnepperStepTV]

Thank you for sharing this gorgeous model! A superb restoration, i was fortunate enough to experience a significantly original and well-cared for example my grandfather owned when i was young and from the pictures and everything i remember this restoration is superb and extremely accurate. I am trying to find where that car went; it was painted in a blue that is similar to the green in preparation, black interior in the same material, and its a 1939 Sedan with all the chrome options. Last seen in Natick Massachusetts around 1996.

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you for sharing your memories. We hope you and the car are reunited. The car doesn't sound familiar to us. Keep an eye out or place an ISO (in search of) ad in the Graham Owner's Club classifieds. www.grahamownersclub.com/

[@firebombclipper]

Thanks, great video, very informative, and a very beautiful car

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you for your gracious comments. They are very encouraging.

[@dlwatib]

Very successful design. It really captured the "Spirit of Motion" concept. The 1967-68 Cadillac also had a front end with that "leaning into the wind" look. www.oldcarbrochures.org/index.php/NA/Graham-Paige/1939-Graham

[@CarzPlus]

...and they look like they're going 100 mph standing still. Thanks for watching. We hope you have enjoyed our many subsequent videos.

[@mikemcdaniel1766]

My dads uncle was a factory service representative for Graham , which became Graham Paige. He went to Chrysler after the company folded. I have a supercharged Holliday 4 door. Still has the factory paint.

[@CarzPlus]

The Hollywood is a keeper. We love those cars, too. We're working on a documentary about the Graham Brothers. It will be out Fall/Winter 2023. The Graham legacy continued longer than many of us are lead to believe. Thanks for watching!

[@mikemcdaniel1766]

Spirit of motion will always be a design for the newer generation, but those people need to understand that without the history, you can't have a future. Those cars were way ahead of their time.

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you! And we do agree; it'll be good for the old club culture to appeal to future generations. Thanks for watching!

[@danbenson7587]

Any idea of how much boost the supercharger provides? What is the engines compression ratio? Thanks

[@CarzPlus]

About 5, 6 lbs max on a supercharger. The compression ratio is not very high, because the gasoline quality in the 1930s was not very high then. Graham used an aluminum cylinder to compensate for poor quality gasoline.

[@danbenson7587]

@ Thanks for reply. Must be a blast to drive such a unique car. Q. What is the engine CR? 6.5, 7? . Cheers

[@marccherry7409]

Fascinating look around this car. Here in UK have never seen one. Certainly a very striking car for it's time. Was it a case that the public of the time weren't quite ready for this design or was it a case of Graham like Hupmoblile struggling by late 30's & because of that it didn't make the sales impact. I like this car the boldness of it's design. It certainly makes me wonder sales wise how successful it would have been if for example a larger car make such as Buick had produced this.

[@CarzPlus]

You're correct on many accounts. It was the depression and while critics gave it rave reviews, the public wasn't ready for it. If you have the chance to read "The Graham Legacy: Graham Paige From 1932" by Michael Keller, it will explain more details about what happened. Stay tuned to learn more and take a moment to check out our playlist about the 1939 Graham here: kzbin.info/aero/PL_APaYrVINp99ykov-0IM3j07N4AMDuPy Thanks for watching!

[@brettbanta2100]

Im curious, does the heater still work? Such a cool car you have

[@CarzPlus]

Thanks for your comment on the car, much appreciated. Yes, the heater still works - very well. Thanks for watching,

[@nonelost1]

I always kinda liked that "shark nose" look. It's JAWS on land!

[@CarzPlus]

What a kind thing to say! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@neutrodyne]

Thanks for sharing such a detailed video. It is a very good looking car. Makes me wish I had one. What is on the front of the radiator? Is it some kind of bug screen?

[@CarzPlus]

Yes, it is. Graham offered it as an accessory for $5. It came in handy for us when we drove the car across Michigan.

[@packard400]

...the car is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!! ...(but I guarantee that the seat belts were not offered in 38-40).....not trying to dilute the greatness of this automobile......but if the front clip could be re-created as an "custom add-on kit" for a Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible.........they would FLY off the shelves!!

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you for your flattering compliment. These days we have to be forgiven for adding the safety features (aka seat belts). They came in handy when the kids were small and we took them on a few cross country trips. Your idea is intriguing...

[@jamesd.lethgo6988]

HEY THESE WERE AWESOME CARS

[@CarzPlus]

Thanks for watching our video. Glad you enjoyed it. We agree with you that these cars were a modern marvel in their time.

[@stevekirksey9293]

My Dad had a 1929 Graham Paige that he bought back in 1964 he paid $ 650.00 i remember it well it was in a white barn I think it was a model 612 or 615 four door dark blue with black fenders

[@CarzPlus]

Barn finds can be some of the best. Amazing what he paid for it. Shows how much the value of money has changed. Although, $650 in 1964 was a hefty price.

[@TheLionAndTheLamb777]

My Grandfather had one of these, he sold it for something more practical because apparently they were not the easiest to get parts for.

[@CarzPlus]

That was a common occurrence with orphan cars. Some of the parts can still be hard to find. It takes a lot of patience and persistence.

[@gstorhof1]

Continental also cast the engines for Kaiser Frazer

[@CarzPlus]

You're absolutely correct. Graham-Paige designed the original Kaiser-Frazer cars and logically used engines that they were familiar with. Thanks for watching!