The Marmon Sixteen was produced between 1931 and 1934. Howard Marmon had begun working on the world's first V16 engine in 1927. By the time the Sixteen was introduced Cadillac had already debuted their V-16, designed by ex-Marmon engineer Owen Nacker. Peerless, too, had been developing a V16 with help from an ex-Marmon engineer, James Bohannon.
The Sixteen's engine displaced 491 in<sup>3</sup> (8.0 L) and produced 200 hp (149 kW). It was an all-aluminum design with steel cylinder liners and a 45ð bank angle. The car's body was designed by Walter Dorwin Teague in 1930, with assistance from his son.