Vehicle Description
Think the replica business is a new development? Guess again! This
incredibly unique, custom-built 1929 Duesenberg Replica dates back
many decades (first built in the late '60 & '70s and then restyled
and refreshed again the '90s) and was inspired by some of history's
greatest cars, the Duesenberg SSJ, the Mercedes SSK, the Stutz
Super Bearcat, and the L-29 Cord just to name a few. Utilizing a
sturdy and reliable 1954 Ford chassis and driveline along with an
array of genuine parts and components that range from a Duesenberg
to Marmon to a Rolls-Royce and about a dozen more legendary
vehicles. The result is a faithful amalgamation of all that was
grand in luxury car making, wrapped up in a very affordable
roadster that's just about the coolest car we've ever featured here
at Streetside. Take a closer look and ask us about the history of
this amazing custom car, because it's not often we find vehicles
with such a cool story and thoughtful build.
Despite all the various components in this build the most obvious
inspiration for the car is the Duesenberg J, and they got the
proportions pretty close on this replica, starting with correct
1929 fiberglass fenders (the only fiberglass on the entire car),
long hood, and boattail-style bodywork. The original Duesenberg
cars were as ornate and top-of-the-line as you could be and still
call it an automobile and so few were made only for the uber-elite,
yet this car manages to carry a similar attitude. Note the correct
Duese radiator ornament, the trumpet horns, the low-slung chassis,
and the rear trunk, not to mention the laundry list of stylish
components borrowed from over a dozen rare cars of similar ilk.
These are all details that recall the original roadster of old, at
least in flavor if not function. The car was first built between
1969-1978, and then restyled and refreshened in 1996-1997, but it's
always been in the hands of connoisseurs so obviously there's
something to its charm, and honestly, it's pretty easy to imagine
sitting behind that folding windshield and slinging this sportster
through the turns of your favorite country road. Finish quality is
good, acceptable for weekend outings, but this isn't a show car
after decades out on the open road. You also get 12-inch headlights
from a Marmon poking up over the fenders, side-mounted spare spoke
wheels, front and rear bumpers (from Willis Knight and Rolls-Royce,
respectively) and plenty of lighting via the 1929 Buick taillights
out back for safety. So yes, this isn't just a show piece, this car
is well-equipped to hit the road today.
The interior is very comfortable, with loads of comfort and style
in the Duesenberg tradition. Red vinyl on the bucket seats looks to
be the freshest addition in the car, and the shade of deep crimson
is a perfect complement to the white livery. The 1952 Jaguar
steering wheel feels beefy in your hands and matches the steampunk
style of the Smith floor shifter, while the engine-turned
stainless-steel dashboard is simply the star of the interior,
featuring a vast array of Duse Model J gauges that includes a NOS
speedometer, an aircraft altimeter, and an 8-day wind clock from
Brentling-Wakmann. A 3-speed shifter sticks out of the floor and
will feel familiar to anyone who has driven an early '50s Ford and
the seating position is pretty good for something so low. There's
no top, no side curtains, no radio, no heater, so there's nothing
to get in the way of the fun. Everything is in good condition
considering its age and it needs nothing to start having fun
immediately. And just like in the original Duese there's a motor
under that long hood, so unlike the more common rear-engine VW
replica's it can't be used for storage, relying instead on the
trunk out back that has just enough space for a day bag or two.
Lift up that aforementioned long hood and you'll likely be
surprised, as the clever builders of this eclectic roadster managed
to neatly install a rebuilt 239 cubic inch V8 that powers it today.
Of course, start it up and it has a great old-school Ford
soundtrack, and the gutsy 2-barrel, 130HP V8 engine moves the
lightweight roadster with aplomb. It's easy to maintain, parts are
insanely cheap, and this really is more fun that you should be
allowed to have with a car. The '54 Ford's chassis and suspension
works especially well with the low-slung roadster bodywork and the
drum brakes are powerful in this application, too. Freshened
components during the restyling included a replacement gas tank,
12-volt system and battery, and lots of brake work, so it's ready
to play. Red spoked wheels with custom Harvey hubcaps are wrapped
with 6.00x17 front and 6.50x17 rear wide-white tires finish off the
fantastic look.
No, it's not a million-dollar find, but that's not the point. The
truth is, this is just fun boiled down to its most elemental level,
and for that this car is ideally suited. Not sure you'll ever find
a vintage roadster with this kind of build history, let alone one
with so many original parts from other legendary cars. And it all
seems to fit perfectly, resulting in one of the coolest cars we've
ever had the pleasure of featuring. Call today.