Vehicle Description
1936 Ford Maharaja Duesenberg
Duesenberg was unquestionably the premier automobile manufacturer
in the history of the United States until the company succumbed to
the Great Depression and ceased production in 1936. The last
Duesenberg ever made was a spectacular roadster built on Chassis
Number 2614 for Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar (1908-1961) of Indores
India. The bespoke body was created in Croydon, England by coach
builders. Gurney Nutting. The gifted young designer, John Batchley
is credited for its elegant sweeping lines. Many collectors and
classic car enthusiasts consider it the best-looking Duesenberg
ever made.
In the makings for a full 19 years, this re-creation of the very
famous and beautiful "Maharaja" Duesenberg is now dignifying our
hallowed halls here at Classic Auto Mall. A true standout, its
graceful lines evoke the mid 1930's and their vision at the time of
a 2-seater sports roadster. This car features a custom steel
fabrication for the chassis by Fat Man Fabrications, a combination
of steel and composite body, and a 502 ci "big block" Chevrolet for
a power plant. We give you the very well executed replica of the
1936 classic that had its inspirational original sell recently for
a cool $22 Million.
Exterior
With inspiration from a 1939 Zephyr "deco ride" this 88 percent
scale car has been sculpted in flowing line disposition, from steel
and composite materials. In front, a steel replica J model
Duesenberg grille shell and front fenders were acquired, and the
rest came together through countless hours of crafting the
remaining steel hood and side panels, and a brass windshield frame.
Overall design presenting more as a sculpted extrusion than a
custom-built body, this car is literally liquidity on wheels.
Flowing fenders gracefully melt in and out of a central running
boards with chromed ribs just below the rear hinged doors. The rear
fenders have a large fender skirting that emulates the trunk and
back of the car all in its elongated clamshell fanfare. On the top
of either quarter on back are dual hinged fuel filler caps, which
frame the almost cartoonish trunk lid, looking much like the top of
a rounded off exclamation point! Savvy bullet style body matching
rear taillights sit presumptuously on the thinning tail which is
guarded by a curved rear bumper. The commanding glistening prow of
this automobile is adorned with chromed headlights in bullet cases,
dual centrally located extra running lights, and dual chromed
horns. The high vertical grille is topped with a flying winged
maiden for the radiator cap. She begins the two-tone paint scheme
which bestows upon us an orange V gracefully widening towards the
windscreen, and then wrapping the curved belt line of the door
sills, and eventually the rear deck and trunk lid. The remainder of
the car is Tuxedo Black, and it is deep as the Marianas trench. All
surfaces are just immaculate, and these are rolled forward with
chromed wire spoked wheels wrapped in wide whites on all 4
corners.
Interior
The passenger compartment shows as an orange leather covered split
back bench, complete with black piping. A curved dash up front
houses the gauge cluster in the center of the dash and utilizes a
machined swirl pattern as its background. Dual glove boxes are seen
one in front of each passenger, and the driver's side covers the
Vintage Air fan and temp controls. The drivers side also has a
large steering wheel which is simplicity at its best, just a trio
of spokes and a plain central metal cap. Black thick pile carpet in
very clean condition covers the floors, and the black canvas top is
very nice and tight, and sports a rear glass window, all be it very
small in square footage. Moving to the trunk, we are greeted with a
book matched veneer lacquered walnut form fitted case, which upon
opening reveals a custom set of stainless steel essentials for any
outing, including a set of 4 plates, a drink shaker (I'll have my
Martini shaken not stirred please) ice bucket, and essential
silverware. 2 additional side "pods" are also form fitted for extra
storage. A full size spare also resides back here and makes an
amazing usage of the tight space.
Drivetrain
Lifting the cowled hood, is a 502 ci Chevrolet "big block" with a
4-speed automatic transmission. On back is a 9-inch Ford rear axle.
This mill provides plenty of power to run Vintage Air, power
brakes, power steering, and power windows.
Undercarriage
All tidy underneath with nary even road dirt or splashes. The
rectangular steel Fat Man frame provides plenty of structural
stability to handle the upper body, and torque put out by the large
502 Bowtie. Independent front suspension with chromed A arms just
for a bit of extra zing, and front disc brakes, and rear drums are
strapped on. A clean rust free exhaust system snakes its way
rearward, ending in chromed tips just below the rear bumper.
Drive-Ability
It not often I get to test royalty, even if it is a replica, it's a
stunner, and I was all giddy for my test drive. After a quick
start, and an enjoyable time listening to the purr of the 502 cubes
that came to life, the test track beckoned. Here she performed
well, wonderful acceleration, good handling, and a quick stopper.
Certainly, a very pleasurable overall experience and all working
controls for the essentials are performing perfectly.
This stunning replica of one of the world's greatest cars offers a
modern level of performance, luxury, comfort and convenience
combined with the spectacular style and elegance of one of the
greatest cars in history. All buttoned up, and ready to turn the
key and elicit many stares, and ooooohs and ahhhhhs.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.