Thanks to World War II, many American automakers soldiered into the early 1940s with models designed in the 1930s. This 1941 Graham-Paige Hollywood Supercharged in Chula Vista, California had at least one marketing advantage, being based on the evolution of the stunning and then-futuristic 1930s Cord. Hupp Motor Company had acquired the Cord body dies and agreed to produce bodies for Graham-Paige. With no running boards and wide, low-slung bodies, the Graham-Page Hollywood made a statement befitting the movie stars inhabiting its namesake California burg. Missing its supercharger, this Hollywood comes to market here on Craigslist after 60 years of storage. For $10,000, you can own one of about 1500 Hollywoods ever built. Thanks to Wikipedia for some details. Thanks to reader Ikey H. for spotting this California classic.
As expected after more than half a century at rest, the Continental inline six-cylinder engine does not run. Other than the absent blower, the engine looks like the supercharged I6 in a similar car at Bonhams. Missing coolant hoses suggest an overheating problem may have sidelined this sedan. Crank-driven superchargers appeared on Graham-branded cars as early as 1934, and the marque held the honor of producing the world’s most supercharged vehicles until being surpassed by Buick in the 1990s. With the blower attached, the Hollywood Supercharged made a then-stout 125 HP compared to the popular Ford V8’s 97.
The diamond tuck upholstery recalls custom work from the 1950s or ’60s. An under-dash gauge trio augments factory instruments in the subdued yet elegant dashboard. Unlike the front-wheel-drive Cord, Graham-Paige used a more traditional rear-wheel-drive arrangement. The seller mentions that some chrome pieces were stored separately, and presumably come with the sale.
Throwing the word “Supercharged” onto the name of your car attracts the same folks who might fancy “Hollywood,” so you can’t fault Graham-Paige for pulling both levers when naming this slant-backed sedan. Within one day of buying my 2002 Buick Regal GS, I used fishing line to remove the word “SUPERCHARGED” from the trunk lid. Meanwhile, across town, some kid was probably looking for the same script to put on his Mom’s non-supercharged Buick. The simple inset factory tail lights add an aerodynamic and modern look. The perfect buyer for this long-parked sedan probably has a Graham-Paige supercharger in their garden shed. Even without that power-adding gem, though, the low production classic may appeal to those who don’t like arriving at a car show in one of nine 1969 Camaros. Have you ever seen a Graham-Paige Hollywood Supercharged?
Nice find Ichabod!!!
I call this a deal! So many of these have been street rodded that its a joy to behold an original. I’d leave it as, upholstery and all. Hope some rodder doesn’t get his paws on this and ultimately have to wonder why he must burn in hell for all eternity.
I would street rod this and put a 454 in it. I’m gonna burn in hell anyway. Plus I get a good laugh out of watching purists cry.
Me, I relish the memories of 1., outbidding those who’d intended to molest a survivor they’d seen, and 2., finding and returning one of their cars back to correct originality.
Finding a blower for it would be a real challenge I’d bet.
Funny thing. I bought one at a Swapmeet late this past fall. I saw this for sale and messaged the seller that it was available. I never heard from them, and Ii sold it on Ebay for $200. It should have been worth considerably more to this seller. Maybe, they didn’t get my message.
Funny Thing. I bought one at a Swapmeet late this fall. I saw this for sale, and messaged the seller. I never heard from them, so I listed it for sale. I picked it up for $40 and sold it for $200. Ii think it would have been worth considerably more to this person.
You were the one! You told me it was an Albanian coffee grinder and only worth 40 dollars!
Restore it to stock appearance and put a discrete modern drivetrain in it. Keep the original drivetrain until you can find the rest of the parts to rebuild it.
Remember a couple of years ago my kids and I were driving along in our ‘40 Hudson sedan. My daughter spotted one of these parked. We turned around and parked right behind it. Was surprised at how much smaller it was than the Hudson. Think my daughter was 11 at the time. She loved the car as it had the same style as the Hudson but was more her size. It became her dream car. These are very good looking cars.
This appeals to me very much. I would be tempted to upgrade to a first generation Cadillac, Oldsmobile or Buick Nailhead V8. Maybe an early Chrysler 331 Hemi. Or possibly a Ford Flathead. Definitely shoot for a late 1940s to early 1950s custom aesthetic like Barris’ Matranga coupe with a good rake and feature deep dark lacquer paint in maroon, burgundy, deep blue or dark emerald.
This is the first Graham/Hupp/Cord I’ve ever seen in black. I don’t know if it came this way originally but black works too.
My problem is 3 current projects, including a black one, are all laying claim to my time and space.
I am curious how other folks are faring lately as far as projects and productivity are concerned. I am finding that although I have an excuse to be spending more time at home it has not translated into increased productivity as far as moving any of my cars towards completion. Every task and procedure has become more complicated it seems. Furthermore, what I formerly found to be enjoyable and satisfying now produces anxiety and fatigue.
I figure it’s the state of the world right now and I’m not alone and that helps but I sure don’t like how it’s making me feel. Anyway, thanks for reading this far and take care of yourselves and those you care about.
I’m in the same boat feel the same way. So I’m thinking it’s the state of the world. I hope you find your passion again.
Bite your tongues all of you who would corrupt this car with a non original drive train. There are too few originals left.
I understand your position – felt the same way for a long time. And I really do detest radically modified cars (although a lot of the Boyd Coddington style cars were fiberglass reproductions anyway), but sometimes the only reason some of these cars get back on the road is because someone saw the potential in an old hulk like this and hot rodded it. I would rather have this thing on the road (please, for the love of God, no Chevy small block) than sitting in some goofballs back yard waiting to be restored ‘someday’ while it slowly sinks into the ground.
Wow! What a stunning car and no Ive only seen these in collector car magazines. I wouldnt mind rebuildinv the existing engine if parts are still a available. If not the other suggestion about using a first gen GM nailhead or Ford flathead V8 would work too. Very fair price for a classic like this!
For those worried about a non-original drivetrain, the engine appears to be a continental 226 rather than the original Graham 217. It’s “the same engine” for the most part, but will never take a supercharger as the original did. The intake and exhaust manifolds are correct for a supercharged car, but the block is missing the mounting bosses and oil drain back hole for the blower case. There are other differences as well, but minor. Still, I’d rather see an owner find an original block and restore it to its former glory, there are enough ugly hotrods out there.
These were made non-supercharged as well.I had a Supercharged one which was a quick car! Do NOT rod it or change the engine please.
Call me nuts, but, there are enough front wheel drive cars out there, I’d do just what E.L. Cord originally designed. Put in an FWD engine and trans, update the running gear, drive it to cars and coffee and watch peoples eyes bug out! Daily driver all the way.
unable to contact owner. 805-452-3244 jim crosby
The Hollywood Graham was never front wheel drive. It used the Cord body shell from the cowl back with a drive shaft tunnel. It is ten inches shortern then the Cord from the cowl forward yet still looks great. Why is everybody so intent of depriving this magnificent car of its provenance after 80 years with it’s virginity intact. So many of these cars have been butchered by idiots that think they know better and cannot leave well enough alone?
My father owned a 1941 Graham Hollywood, ( note, they were not Graham Paige) the cars are uni-body so transplanting a larger drivetrain will mean some chassis work. The continental engine shared many internal parts with other uses of the engine so parts are not that difficult to obtain. This car needs to be brought back in ether stock or modified condition, that will depend on the new owner, not anyone else.
The cars were called Graham from 1931, but the company was Graham-Paige through to the end in 1948.
The nose on the Hupp Skylark and Graham Hollywood was designed by John Tjaarda, who came up with the rounded front to get away from the coffin nosed Cord look.
The Skylark was first into “production”, with the body dies being shipped to Hayes Body Corp. in Grand Rapids, who came up with the front stub frame. Hayes painted the body from the cowl back. The bodies were then shipped to Detroit to have the front clip built, painted, and the engine and interior installed. But it required a lot of manual labour to complete.
By September, 1939, Hupp and Graham sorted things out. Graham-Paige would build both Hupp and Graham versions with Hupp engines to be used for the Skylark and Graham for the Hollywood.
Hi Bill W Sounds like you have some detailed knowledge of these cars. I have three Skylarks and would like to contact you, maybe learn something more, particularly about the early Hayes cars which one of mine is. Trying to learn as much as I can about these.
Ed 780 439-8749
Oh I can hardly look at this Hollywood. I am the owner of one for over 20 years and it has been a wild, beautiful ride. Until just recently, I hadn’t seen another one for over 16 years.
My Hollywood is LOVED at car shows by everyone….young, old, male and female and all others in between. No one ever knows what it is. It looks totally stock unless you see the tail pipes and/or hear it running.
Out on the road, people practically run into me to find out about it.
I really hate to think of selling it some day.
I hope someone buys this poor Hollywood soon and gets it back on the road where it deserves to be.
Hi Bill W Sounds like you have some detailed knowledge of these cars. I have three Skylarks and would like to contact you, maybe learn something more, particularly about the early Hayes cars which one of mine is. Trying to learn as much as I can about these.
Ed 780 439-8749
I have a stock a 1940 Hollywood Supercharged. It’s a lot of fun to drive. It really wants to go-go-go…as long as it’s in a straight line!