Upgraded Coachwork by Fran Roxas of Chicago
Kissimmee 2014, #WhereTheCarsAre
January 17-26, 2014
This Lot scheduled to be sold SAT 4:35PM
DESCRIPTION ~ ~ ~ Auction Estimate: $1,100,000 - $1,500,000 ~ ~ ~
Fred and August Duesenberg were already renowned race car and engine builders when they founded the Duesenberg Motor Company in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1913. After relocating to a larger facility in New Jersey in 1917, the Duesenbergs built a special 16-cylinder engine to propel a Land Speed Record car to an amazing 158 MPH at Daytona Beach. The following year they designed and built a Bugatti-inspired 180 CI inline-8 engine using a single overhead camshaft and three valves per cylinder, which in 1921 powered the only American car ever to win the French Grand Prix. Duesenberg racers won the Indianapolis 500 three times in a four-year period ending in 1927, by which time the company had been purchased by E.L. Cord. Cord’s plan for his new acquisition was to capitalize on the Duesenberg brand and engineering acumen to produce “The World’s Finest Motor Car.” That grand goal was realized when the new Duesenberg J was unveiled at the 1928 New York Auto Show.
HIGHLIGHTS
Fred and August Duesenberg were already renowned race car and engine builders when they founded the Duesenberg Motor Company in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1913. After relocating to a larger facility in New Jersey in 1917, the Duesenbergs built a special 16-cylinder engine to propel a Land Speed Record car to an amazing 158 MPH at Daytona Beach. The following year they designed and built a Bugatti-inspired 180 CI inline-8 engine using a single overhead camshaft and three valves per cylinder, which in 1921 powered the only American car ever to win the French Grand Prix. Duesenberg racers won the Indianapolis 500 three times in a four-year period ending in 1927, by which time the company had been purchased by E.L. Cord. Cord’s plan for his new acquisition was to capitalize on the Duesenberg brand and engineering acumen to produce “The World’s Finest Motor Car.” That grand goal was realized when the new Duesenberg J was unveiled at the 1928 New York Auto Show.
- Engine Number J-255 Serial Number 2276
- Originally fashioned in Judkins Limousine Coachwork
- Known history and great provenance
- Used by E.L. Cord's wife as a limousine by 1935
- Joined Pacific Auto Rental in Hollywood in 1937
- Possibly the most filmed Duesenberg ever
- Featured in movies like: 1940 The Great McGinty, 1951 Pocketful of Miracles, 1955 Al Capone, 1958 Party Girl, 1977 Howard Hughes, 1981 The Gangster Chronicles and 1984 City Heat
- Sold in 1985 to Fred and Dave Weber
- The Webers commissioned Fran Roxas of Chicago to upgrade the coachwork in the style of a Walker LaGrande Torpedo Phaeton
- During the build, the car retained its complete rolling chassis, running gear and numbered firewall
- Formerly part of the Blackhawk Collection
- Most Outstanding Open Car, 1921-1930 at the 2008 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance
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