Vehicle Description
In the late 1920s, the Duesenberg Brothers' stellar racing record
had not translated into the sales of road cars they hoped for, and
their only model, the Model A was due for replacement. Without the
funds to develop a whole new car, they introduced the stopgap Model
X as they searched for funding. Thankfully, a savior came in the
form of Errett Lobban Cord. He had already transformed moribund
Auburn's fortunes with the vision of creating a motoring empire
with the world's finest automobile as its flagship. Cord found the
perfect match with the Duesenbergs, as he could essentially buy an
established reputation for engineering excellence, while Fred and
August finally got the resources to develop the car of their
dreams. In 1926, E.L. Cord purchased the Duesenberg Motors Company
and reincorporated it as Duesenberg, Inc. Cord then installed Fred
Duesenberg as Chief Engineer, and the two quickly set to work
designing their vision of the world's most prestigious motorcar.
The spectacular Model J first appeared on the show circuit in the
fall of 1928, with production cars reaching the first customers
about a year later. With its powerful, 420 cubic-inch,
twin-overhead cam inline eight-cylinder engine, the Model J was the
fastest, most expensive, and most exclusive car in America. Buyers
demanded the finest coachwork, with Willoughby, LeBaron, Murphy,
Franay, Gurney Nutting and many others granted the opportunity to
grace the Duesenberg J chassis. Business moguls, Hollywood stars,
and royalty would all clamor for a chance to be seen in the
stunning new Duesenberg. The Model J and its derivatives are
considered the Gold Standard of the Classic Era, standing proudly
among the most influential, significant, and recognizable collector
cars of all time. Of the multitude of coachbuilders that created
bodies for the Duesenberg J, one of the most prolific was LeBaron,
producing nearly 40 bodies for the Model J throughout production.
Founders Tom Hibbard and Ray Dietrich worked together as
draughtsmen at Brewster & Co. Together, they envisioned a design
consulting firm that would work directly with clients, then farm
out the construction of bodies to various coachbuilders. Brewster
summarily fired the pair after they were caught doing side work on
company time, and thus, LeBaron Carrossier was born. A merger with
the prestigious Bridgeport Body Company in 1923 gave them the
ability to supply complete bodies, and despite the founders leaving
in 1927, LeBaron remained one of the most prestigious luxury
coachbuilders of the period. Our featured Model J, number J-338
(chassis 2350), is a superb concours-quality example wearing
elegant LeBaron All-Weather Phaeton coachwork. According to marque
experts, this short-wheelbase car was a factory demonstrator
originally fitted with Arlington Sedan coachwork by Derham. On
September 15, 1930, it was delivered to its first owner, Mr.
William S. Rupert of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By 1933, J-338
changed hands to William Ferguson, also of Philadelphia. The trail
picks up again in 1944 when this car, along with J-127, was
purchased by Mr. Marion Roberts of Grand Island, New York. At that
time, J-127 wore a LeBaron convertible sedan body, believed to have
been intended for a Packard chassis, although possibly never
installed as records suggest it replaced J-127's original Holbrook
Sedan body in 1933. The two Duesenbergs remained with Roberts until
1965, when he sold the pair to John North of Maryland. By that
time, both cars required extensive restoration, and Mr. North
perhaps found the task to be more than he was willing to tackle.
Keeping them as a pair, he sold the cars in 1967 to one of the
pioneers of the car collecting hobby, Homer Fitterling of South
Bend, IN. At one point, Fitterling's collection approached nearly
300 vehicles, many of them highly significant American classics.
Finally, J-338 was in capable hands and treated to a much-deserved,
extensive restoration led by Fitterling's collection manager, Keith
Brown. While in the hands of Marion Roberts, both cars suffered
from exposure to the elements. The chassis of J-338 was deemed to
be in sound condition; however, the Derham coachwork was well
beyond repair. So, as was a common practice at the time,
Fitterling's team fitted the handsome LeBaron body from J-127 onto
the restored chassis of J-338. Once the restoration was completed,
the beautifully proportioned and elegant car was a fixture of
Fitterling's collection, proudly displayed in the foyer of his
museum for many years. Following Homer Fitterling's passing, his
entire collection, including J-338 was acquired by Ed Weaver for
$13M. In 1988, while in Mr. Weaver's care, J-338 was inspected by
marque experts including Fred Roe, and granted ACD Club Category
One Certification. A copy of that report is included. Ed Weaver
died in 1995, and his massive collection was auctioned. J-338
entered a private collection and was displayed at the ACD Museum
for a brief period, before joining the world-renowned collection of
Robert Petersen in 2001. The most recent owner, a noted collector
of Classic Era motorcars, acquired the car in 2013, promptly
handing it to Greg Morrell of Mosier Restorations in California for
an extensive, 3-year refurbishment and restoration to exquisite
concours standards. Duesenberg J-338 presents in outstanding
condition, with concours-quality finishing and detailing. The
two-tone livery, with its bright red body and maroon fenders and
chassis, is quite striking. There is a distinct sporting flair
thanks to the black wall Firestone tires and magnificent chrome
wire wheels. The body features dual side-mount spares with chrome
covers, dual Lorraine search lamps, an upholstered trunk, and
outside exhaust. Paintwork is suitably exquisite, as is the plating
and brightwork. The natural tan leather provides a rich contrast to
the red bodywork. The upholstery is glove-soft and finely trimmed
to a high standard, complemented with matching brown carpeting and
tan salt-and-pepper canvas topping. Interior fittings are beautiful
and exquisitely finished, and the dash features a full array of
instruments - including an altimeter and Jaeger chronograph - set
into the engine-turned alloy panel. Engine and chassis detailing
are up to the same high levels, with plenty of gorgeous polished
aluminum and the signature bright green paint on the big twin-cam
straight eight. The chassis is fully detailed and features Watson
Stabilators on the front axle and is as impeccably turned out as
the rest of this exceptional motorcar. The meticulous preparation
culminated in an invitation to the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours
d'Elegance, and a trouble-free run in the pre-show Tour d'Elegance.
The sale of J-338 represents a rare opportunity to acquire a
beautifully restored, concours-ready Model J with known provenance
in some of the most prestigious collections in history. The
stunning coachwork is versatile and beautiful, making this
Duesenberg equally at home on road events or gracing the lawns of
the world's most exclusive concours. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6939-1931-duesenberg-j-lebaron-all-weather-phaeton/
