The name Marquette was first used for an automobile when the Berwick Auto Car Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, frequently took it as a model designation for their electric car in 1904.
The Marquette nameplate was revived when Buick Division of General Motors launched their own sister make for model year 1930. Along with Pontiac, Viking and LaSalle, the Marquette was conceived to span a price gap in General Motors’ market segmentation plan.
The Marquette “arrived” in dealer showrooms on June 1, 1929.
The Marquette line rode on a 114 in (2,896 mm) wheelbase and was powered by an “L” head six 212.8 cu in (3.5 L) producing 67 hp (50 kW). Marquette was built to sell in the $1,000 range, and was available in a single car range.
Marquette produced 35,007 vehicles in the U.S. during its brief one year life span; additionally, GM Canada turned out another 6,535 Marquettes.
