Anyone know the first production car company to hire Raymond Loewy’s design studio, and when? If you guessed Hupp Motor Car Company in 1932, you are correct. Unfortunately, when Hupp hired Loewy, it dedicated its shoestring budget to upgrading its model line-up to a series of six- and eight-cylinder cars, abandoning its bread-and-butter four-cylinder niche entirely. This strategy ultimately failed the company: models proliferated as the company attempted to court too many types of luxury buyers, and in turn, that led to high manufacturing costs, which resulted in Hupmobiles becoming too expensive for the company’s traditional buyer. But Hupp didn’t fail before Raymond Loewy produced at least two distinctive designs: the so-called “cycle-fender cars”, and the Aerodynamic. The latter is the pick of the litter, commanding the highest prices – IF you can find one. But the cycle-fender cars have a particular charm, too. By 1934, design remnants of the idiosyncratic fenders were still apparent in the model K421. Here on craigslist is a 1934 Hupmobile K421 sedan listed for $17,500 located in Casa Grande, Arizona. T.J. rustled up this tip for us – thanks T.J.!

This car has been in storage; we found it previously listed for sale here, though with no price.  Back then, it appeared to be running and driving; now the seller says it needs some work. The 90 hp 228 cu. in. straight six was rebuilt at some point. These cars came with a three-speed automatic gearbox – an evolution of Hupp’s first poorly designed, profoundly unpopular two-speed, originally installed in the 1909 Model 20.

The mohair upholstery is still fine, and as per usual, the back seats look nearly new. Note that the headliner, door, kick and other trim panels are covered in the same rose-hued fabric. The craigslist ad has a paucity of photos so we pulled this one from the other ad, to give the dash a bit of the limelight. The delicate four-spoke steering wheel finishes off the interior appointments.

This parking lot view confirms that the Hupp was once ambulatory. I can’t see the logo on the doors – it looks vaguely like a sheriff’s badge, but not quite. I’m not a fan of the wide white walls on this car, but each to his own. We note that the radiator mascot is missing. Hupmobiles of any type are rare. Historical K421 sales are few and far between. We had to interpolate prices from similar models – like this Model W coupe that found a new garage for $27k. It was a restored car, though. Here’s an Aerodynamic (with trailer), apparently sold for somewhere near $45k. The Model K is upmarket from the Model W, but it’s not an Aerodynamic, it’s not a coupe, and it’s not running. I’ll hazard a guess that a discount off the ask will be required to find this one a new home; what do you think?