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1926 DUESENBERG MODEL A OPERA COUPE
One-off Coachwork by McNear
Car No. D63C
Chassis No. 1639
Engine No. 1479
Essential Information
• Numbers-Matching; Category 1 Certified by the ACD Club
• The Only Known Close-Coupled Coupe Design by McNear Body Co.
• Featured in Fred Roe's Book DUESENBERG The Pursuit of
Perfection
• One of Just 21 Model as Known to the ACD Club
• Fastidious Award Winning 5-Year Restoration
• Participant of the 1976 Gliden Tour Pikes Peak Hill Climb
• Well Documented History Including Period Publications, Letters
and Awards
• Includes a Coffee Table Book "The Opera Coupe"
Awards and Recognition
• VMCCA National Meet Winner - Excellence of Restoration
• CCCA First Place National Judging Award
• ACD Best Duesenberg Award
• 29th ACD Reunion - First Place Straight 8 Models
Specifications
260 CID OHC Inline 8-Cylinder Engine, 90 BHP at 3,600 RPM, 3-Speed
Manual Gearbox, 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes, Front Beam Axle with
Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs, Rear Live Axle with Semi-Elliptical
Leaf Spring.
Ownership History
Charles Fisher, Boston, Massachusetts (acquired circa 1942)
Kingsbury Shaw, Boston, Massachusetts (acquired from the above in
1948)
J. Hogatt, Indiana (acquired from the above in the 1950s)
Lawrence Stalcup, Indiana (acquired from the above in 1961)
Charles Landfield, Florida (acquired from the above in 1963)
Charles Burk, Florida (acquired from the above in 1967)
Dr. K.G. Mathis, Texas (acquired from the above in 1968)
Victor "Vic" Benischek, Sandia Park, New Mexico (acquired from the
above in 1971)
Gary Groves, Redlands, California (acquired from the above in
1999)
Robert A. Castignetti, Andover, Massachusetts (acquired from the
above in 2010)
DSFM Collection 2019
Featured Publications
ACD Club Newsletter, Vol. 22, No. 2, 1974 and Vol. 25, No. 4,
1977
Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg, by Don Butler
The Classic Car, by Beverly Rae Kimes
The Classic Car, September 1984
Duesenberg: The Pursuit of Perfection, by Fred Roe (On the
cover)
Motor Klassik, November 1996
"The World Champion Automobile . . . Built to Outclass, Outrun and
Outlast Any Car on the Road." This was Duesenberg's claim when they
entered, they introduced their fine machines to the world.
Duesenberg entered the scene with an established reputation in
endurance racing and world class performance including a land speed
record set at Daytona Beach in 1920 and a win at the French Grand
Prix in 1921. The Model A featured bespoke mechanical features
including a race-proven, overhead valve, straight-eight engine and
the first use of four-wheel hydraulic brakes on a production
automobile. Car number D63C was manufactured near the end of Model
A production and featured attractive Opera Coupe styling by the
McNear Body Co of Brookline, Mass. McNear is known to have dressed
some of the finest Rolls Royce chassis by also conducted
coachbuilding for Cadillac, Duesenberg, Lincoln, Locomobile,
Packard and Pierce-Arrow. Documentation on file show Charles Fisher
of Boston, Massachusetts, as the owner in 1942. This was one of
several Model As in his possession that then passed to another
local enthusiast, Kingsbury Shaw. Between 1950-60 the car passed
through different documented ownerships before being acquired by
Victor Benischek of Sandia Park, New Mexico in 1971. This ownership
by "Vic" Benischek would become one of the best things to happen to
D63C, a love story ensued with a five-year painstaking restoration
under his direction.
Mr. Benischek was custodian of Auburns and Cords, but his affection
for this Model A motivated him to commence what would become a
benchmark award winning restoration. Mr. Benischek demonstrated its
mechanical prowess on a number of grueling tours. "Model A
Duesenberg, Freshly Restored, Climbs Pikes Peak," was the subtitle
of an article in the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg (ACD) Club's newsletter,
chronicling this car's participation in the 1976 Glidden Tour.
During his ownership, he accumulated more than 6,000 miles, in his
words, "Without problem one."
Vic's restoration was validated in 1980 when this car garnered a
First Place award in marque-specific judging at the ACD Club's
annual reunion in Auburn, Indiana. A CCCA First Place win followed
at the 1984 Grand Classic in Denver, now carrying senior badge
#1129. In 1989, it was authenticated by the ACD Club as a Category
1-certified Duesenberg, #D-067. Mr. Benischek enjoyed this car for
28 years before parting with it in 1999 when it was acquired by
Gary Groves of Redlands, California. From there it passed to Robert
A. Castignetti of Andover, Massachusetts, in 2010.
Finished in complementing colors of dark green with black fender
and a matching leather top, the presentation is made complete with
pale-yellow painted wire wheels. The McNear design is especially
attractive in profile, where the lines of its low beltline can be
appreciated, accentuated by its slanted windshield and landau irons
at the rear. Equally attractive is the interior compartment,
finished in dark green leather with exposed wood framework, better
known as the "skeleton trim" design.
Only 21 Model A Duesenbergs are known to the ACD Club and none are
equipped with this distinctive coachwork. Ideal for multitude of
uses this amazing Model A will give its next owner a rare
opportunity to participate in many events including concours,
displays, tours and rallies around the world. An early production
model with an impressive history, presentation and provenance.
To learn more about this vehicle, please contact our sales
department at (281) 497-1000 or
[email protected]
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