1941 Graham Hollywood

THIS CAR IS SERIAL # 701050 CLOSE TO THE HIGHEST NUMBER 701098. THE ENGINE # IS 710992 THE HIGHEST KNOWN IS 711011. THE COLOR CODE IS 41-26 YOSEMITE GREEN AND MIST GREEN IRIDESCENT. IT IS BELIEVED ONLY ONE HIGHER SERIAL # SURVIVES.

This project car evolved from what was going to be a modest owner restoration into a lengthy and costly professional restoration that was the only way to really save it. We've been told that it may be the only two tone green supercharged one made. In any event with a total production of 1378 40 and 41 Hollywoods, 748 1941 supercharged models, the color code 41-26 was only for that year. The car would have had green wool broadcloth upholstery but since a deluxe interior of leather was offered in the sales brochure , we elected to do that . One originally leather interior car has been seen by some members of the Graham Owners and we were cleared to go for the ultimate Hollywood presentation in this car. No formula shows in the Graham handbook for the Mist Green roof color but samples showed up (on the rusted rocker panels) that could be color matched. The panels were covered by a tin replacement when the car was "restored" some estimated 35 years ago. Why blotches of the roof color were there is anyone's guess. The car was stripped to bare metal and redone then in pale yellow with maroon pressed vinyl interior and the armrests had been discarded. It took over two years to find a replacement set. (well used) The body tuck-under beneath the trunk was made of hardware cloth and whatever preceded bondo. Fortunately this piece was reproduced for the Cord and obtainable under special order. (read 6 months or longer). The car was at one time sprayed black, including the Graham ornament on the trunk, and had holes in the front fenders where truck -like directional signals were mounted, (no switch was found inside the car). A 1938 Graham fuel tank had been installed, reversed to fit the filler hole in the right fender; and the trunk floor cut open to access the misplaced gas gauge sending unit. A Hollywood tank was found and is in the car now. The previous owner had accumulated a number of new and reproduction parts and spares but changed projects and this car was to be sold as it was. He was also concerned that it go to someone who would restore it rather than destroy it to make a street rod. Over half of the known surviving Hollywoods are street rods.

From the firewall back the Graham Hollywood used the 1936-7 Cord body dies. Like the Cord the roof is made of 7 pieces hand welded. Neither corporation had the funds for the large die to stamp out a one piece roof. The cars were unitized construction with the body welded to the frame. The Cord used a bolted on front subframe and it held the V8 and the front drive transmission and differential, but the Graham with rear wheel drive has a welded one; and a tunnel through the body for the drive shaft. Since they were all one piece the body and frame were all painted body color. With the supercharged flat head 6 the Hollywood had the highest horsepower to weight ratio of any 1941 car. All the 1941s were built from July 1940 through September when Graham-Paige ceased auto production for war work. The next car produced would be the post war Frazer. Thanks to the Cord ancestry some parts and trim metal like the aluminum kickplates are reproduced. However, the Hollywoods were parts sources for Cord restorations at one time, so doors, rear fenders and trunks are impossible to find. We even attempted to buy a Cord body sitting out near Wendover, Utah, but the heirs donated or sold it to the Auburn Cord Dusenberg Museum.

The heavy metal work needed included two of the door panels which were rusty lace, driver's floor replacement, as well as serious work where the rear leaf springs attached to the body. Sam did the painting and served as all around major domo for the one year plus time the work was underway in his shop. The car was declared complete April 1, 2005 and we left for the VMCCA National tour and the Graham Nationals in Kerrville and Fredericksburg Texas on April 8. We were gratified with the VMCCA Gold award as well as Men's Choice. The following week it was first in it's class and BEST OF SHOW at the Graham Nationals. The next year it was driven on the 2006 GliddenTour in September in the Black Hills. Since the Glidden it has been shown locally and then won participant's choice at the Orphan Car Show in Aberdeen Wa. In July it was accepted in the Forest Grove Concours out of Portland and won Best Of Class in Special Interest autos.

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$69,900

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