1932 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton

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420ci DOHC Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Single Stromberg Downdraft Carburetor
265bhp at 4,200 rpm
6-Speed Tremec Manual Transmission (see text)
Front and Rear Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Fresh from an extensive restoration, totaling more than $1,800,000
*Composed almost entirely of original mechanical components, including frame and engine
*Long-wheelbase model with elegant proportions
*Marvelous fit and finish throughout

THE MIGHTY DUESENBERG

The Duesenberg name has been revered virtually since Fred and August Duesenberg first turned their attention from bicycles to motorcars in the late 1900s. They were pioneers and innovative minds whose Rochester "walking beam" four-cylinder engines powered the great automobiles of the Nickel Era, such as the RoameR, and whose racing cars competed successfully worldwide – famously becoming the first American car to win a major European event when Jimmy Murphy rode to victory in the French Grand Prix of 1921 at Le Mans. They were also immensely successful at their hometown track, with Duesenbergs claiming victory at the Indianapolis 500 no fewer than four times. The first win was in 1922, when Jimmy Murphy won in the same car that had conquered Le Mans the year before.

With these achievements the Duesenbergs' lasting fame would have been assured, but they did not rest on their considerable laurels. Their first production automobile, the Model A, featured an overhead-cam eight-cylinder engine and was the first American production car with four-wheel brakes. It was a wonderful piece of engineering but lacked excitement in its design, something that automotive tycoon E.L. Cord would solve in his acquisition of Duesenberg Motors and subsequent sponsorship of the greatest automobile to bear the name.

The Model J debuted amidst much press and fanfare at the 1928 New York Auto Salon. At its heart was a glorious straight eight-cylinder engine, featuring four valves per cylinder, operated by chain-driven double overhead camshafts, which was advertised as producing 265bhp at 4,200 rpm, noted by historian Josh Malks as "more than twice the output of any other American engine of the time." This was mated to a three-speed Warner transmission on either a 142½- or 153½-inch-wheelbase chassis, equipped with hydraulic four-wheel brakes, a feature which Duesenberg pioneered and notably among the most effective of their time. There was virtually nothing else built in the United States that possessed such superb engineering, nor many other automobiles worldwide that had said engineering tested so successfully in competition.

In its time the Duesenberg was revered for its cost - $8,500 for the chassis alone; for its performance, upwards of 120 mph, reported as achievable in second gear; and for the cast of characters who owned them. Duesenbergs were, simply put, never owned by boring people; the celebrities, business magnates, and sportsmen of the day were their lucky buyers – Gary Cooper, "Bojangles" Robinson, Clark Gable, William Randolph Hearst, George Whittell, Nanaline Duke, the Wrigley family, and Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York City, to list but a few golden names. There were only about 420 to go around, sold through 1937 as both a 142½-inch short and 153½-inch long-wheelbase frame by both the factory and factory branches established in major cities.

Yet it was not power and exclusivity alone that made the J great, but also its rich beauty. Like many of its competitors, the Model J was offered solely for custom coachwork, initially built solely by independent coachbuilders. All of the great names – Murphy, Rollston, Brunn – worked their magic on Model J chassis. One of the most beautiful designs offered was the 'sweep panel' dual-cowl phaeton, with its namesake color delineation through the doors, whose enduring popularity through the years led two distinct versions to be produced.

The first, by LeBaron, was one of the first designs developed for the new Model J. After three years the LeBaron 'sweep panel' dual-cowl phaeton was succeeded by a new version, drawn by Duesenberg's talented designer Gordon M. Buehrig after the decision was made to begin producing more coachwork in-house. Buehrig was a master of slight alterations that would transform an automobile's very soul. He raised the body's beltline, meeting a reverse-curved cowl and a more subtly curved 'sweep panel,' and reworked the top so that it would fold nearly flush with the rear of the coachwork when lowered. These relatively subtle changes transformed the design into a truly sleek, sporting shape that ranks among the most graceful even fit to the Model J chassis.

Both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the new phaeton were delivered, built by Union City Body Company, a Cord Corporation holding, under the fanciful nameplate of LaGrande – chosen to represent bodies built for Duesenberg by Cord entities whose names did not exactly roll off the tongue. They were beautiful machines and their visage is not soon forgotten. Testament to that fact was that Cord Corporation executive Lucius Manning chose one for himself, as the 'company car' of sorts. It was one of the ultimate designs on the Model J.

THE CAR OFFERED

The popularity of the Model J in the collector era has resulted in enthusiasts almost never leaving any "loose" components to chance – even Duesenbergs that were not fated to remain intact, as unfortunately occurred many times through the late 1950s, donated their valuable, high-quality pieces to other examples. As with Bugattis, Bentleys, and other automobiles that have enjoyed lives of use and enjoyment, this work is to varying degrees of both quality and originality, with the most desirable examples employing as many original components as possible and being faithfully assembled and restored. Thus, this process has returned to life many automobiles which would otherwise have been fully lost to the sands of time.

Unlike many of its ilk, the Duesenberg offered here has been both beautifully, accurately restored and is composed almost entirely of original mechanical components. These include the original long-wheelbase chassis no. 2481, originally fitted to the long-ago dismantled Willoughby limousine with engine J-467; an unnumbered but authentic firewall, rather than one of the commonly found reproductions; and an engine with original bell-housing J-474 and original crankshaft 417. These components were acquired by the owner as a package from the Duesenberg enthusiast and prolific hunter-gatherer of rare parts, George Albright, along with a high-quality recreation of a LaGrande 'sweep panel' dual-cowl phaeton, as essentially a ready-to-build project. Photographs supplied by Mr. Albright and included in the history file show the original frame, often the hardest part to acquire for a Model J, as-purchased by him at the auction of the vast Karl Kleve estate in Ohio in 2005.

The restoration work progressed for the current owner at the respected craftsman Byard Libbey's Classic Car Restoration Center in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, responsible for the outstanding work seen on several other automobiles in the owner's distinguished collection, including a Pebble Beach First in Class-winning Isotta Fraschini. Libbey has restored several Model Js, all highly regarded examples, and the owner knew that he would be the right person to approach this job as well.

The LaGrande body, originally created for a short-wheelbase car, was suitably lengthened to the proportions of the original long-wheelbase LaGrande, thus better suiting it to both the long-wheelbase and the aesthetic sensibilities of the owner, which included the utilization of later skirted fenders, which are also original Duesenberg components. Overall the workmanship is excellent, with all the finishes throughout being in superb condition. The triple-tone black, silver, and scarlet paintwork, an inventive and especially flattering livery; the rich red leather upholstery of the body; and the finishes of the engine compartment, are especially outstanding and utterly show-quality, typical of the quality of Mr. Libbey's exceptional workmanship. All of the brightwork is sparkling. As the car was built to both a beautiful and fully functional automobile, it was fitted with an excellent modern Tremec six-speed manual transmission, an improvement over the original Warner gearbox in both flexibility and usability. Truly no expense was spared, from stem to stern, to make this one of the finest Duesenberg restorations recently realized. Indeed, it is estimated that some $1,800,000 has been spent on the project, which speaks to the owner's dedication to quality!

Recently completed, the car has not yet been displayed or toured. Thus this is a rare opportunity to acquire a striking and memorable Duesenberg, freshly finished to a superb standard, which is now ready to make its debut with concours, CCCA, and Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club appearances, or to venture on the annual Duesenberg Tour. It is a marvelous specimen.