A friend of mine just called me from Southern Indiana and she inherited a car she knows nothing about. The title says it was made by Gray Marine Motor Company. I know that Gray Marine obviously made boat motors. I have not seen the car. She tells me that it is a 1922 two door convertible that has been in her grandfathers barn since 1926. It's supposed to be a very decent car with no rust or damage. I can't seem to find a damn thing on Gray manufactured automobiles. The title has a body and serial number. Anybody ever heard of these? She wants to keep it and I'd like to help her out in finding more information on it.
The Gray was a low priced 4 cylinder, 20hp car produced from 1922 to 1926 in Detriot MI. to compete with / against the Model T, Chevrolet, Star, etc.
Unclescoobie, I don't think I've heard of a Gray, have also heard of the Grey Dort. Hop over to the AACA site and give what info you can, might get an answer there. If it was in a shed since '26 it might be in pretty good shape. I'd like to see some pictures??
Follow this link---it has a story and good pictures of the Gray Automobile http://www.geocities.com/baja/canyon/4192/Gray/davebriffa.html
Thanks guys. I've got here a bunch of good information now. I guess her grandfather was kind of famous in the area for collecting things. There is going to be a three day auction on the estate and I guess TLC and Discovery Channel have both been there. He's got hundreds of guns, toys, and other items. Must be a lot of stuff for a three day auction. This is the only car she said and she didn't know whether to keep it or let it go as it would be a big draw to the auction according to the auctioneer. I told her to keep it since it looks like money isn't going to be an issue with her now. She's down in Paoli Indiana.
as said Gray built 4 models in 1922 roadster, touring, listed for $490.00 a coupe for $715.00 and coach for $760.00 serial numbers started at 1000 on each
You can probaly get even more information the the research libraries at either the Antique Automobile Club of America (www.aaca.org) or The National Automotive Museum (used to be Harrah's) in Reno. Both have tons of information,but also charge a research fee.
The prices seemed kind of steep for the years they were made. I think the Model T was a lot cheaper then. I know in 1931 (after some economic inflation of car values) the top of the line fordor cabriolet sold for like $680 and the Fordor town sedan (the largest sedan outside of specialty cars) was $630. Totally irrelavent to the conversation, but the prices caught my attention and seemed sorta' high for someone trying to compete with a giant company. I would be curious to see more on these.
The Jalopy Journal
