When the Duesenberg brothers teamed up to engineer specialized
racing engines for vehicles, good things transpired for those lucky
enough to own one. In fact, a Duesenberg finished 10th at the
Indianapolis 500 in 1914 but would prove the endurance capability
by bringing the first American win at the French Grand Prix in Le
Mans in 1921. From that success, Duesenberg would eventually win
the Indy 500 in 1922, 1924, 1925, and again in 1927. To no
surprise, this caught the attention of E.L. Cord of the Auburn
Automobile Company, who would purchase Duesenberg Motors and
Automobile Company in October 1925 to capitalize on its racing
reputation and their engineering skillset to begin producing ultra
high-end luxury cars. They were to be the biggest, fastest, and
most expensive cars ever made from American soil. E.L. Cord wanted
to compete against the world's ultra high-end luxury market against
the likes of Rolls Royce, Isotta Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, and
Hispano-Suiza as the world's greatest luxury automobile!
The company, now simply renamed Duesenberg, Inc., continued to
focus on producing horsepower atop massive frameworks, allowing the
elegant body designs to be completed by prominent coachbuilders
such as Judkins, Derham, Brunn, LeBaron, and many others. They
prevailed in many ways, with only one tremendous obstacle, the
Great Depression. The finished cost was upwards of $20,000, the
equivalent of nearly $390,000 today! With the average annual
household income in 1930 was $1,368, & unemployment at 18.3%, these
models were only for the ultra-wealthy, like celebrity owners Clark
Gable, Howard Hughes, Elizabeth Arden, and Gary Cooper, along with,
foreign royalty and other elitists around the world. Even gangster
Al Capone could not resist owning one! Sadly, due to the Great
Depression, Duesenberg Inc. was forced to close its doors in 1937.
Leaving only 481 Model J's of which some have been lost forever. It
is said that 78% remain in prominent collections today. All held
proudly with mighty price tags!
When restorer and Harrah's Auto Museum curator, Richard Braund,
decided to renew the Duesenberg brand in 1978, he did so with the
same energy and effort E.L. Cord had intended. Based in Elroy,
Wisconsin, he opened the doors to an exclusive production facility
called Elite Heritage Motors to produce the Duesenberg II.
Utilizing exacting measurements of the originals, along with a
small group of skilled craftsmen, they would reproduce 6 legendary
models of the most rare and beautiful Duesenbergs ever fashioned.
Nearly every component would have to be hand crafted, including the
massive frame, from only the highest quality of materials. Only the
drivetrain and suspension would be outsourced by utilizing Ford
Motor Company components. After a meticulous effort, only 71 units
would come from the Duesenberg II factory over a 20-year period,
making them as equally exclusive as the originals!
One of the most unique models produced from the original Duesenberg
drawings came from Automobile Hall of Fame designer, and Duesenberg
Chief Designer, Gordon Buehrig. It was called the Model SJ Torpedo
Phaeton, of which only one example would ever be produced by
coachbuilder Brunn & Company. Sadly, this one-off, supercharged
original was lost forever after its original owner left a desert
roadway at high speed badly damaging the chassis and body in a
rocky ditch. Deemed a total loss, this beautiful machine was
scrapped and parted out. Now with a fresh opportunity to reproduce
this outstanding Gordon Buehrig vision again, but this time with
all modern appointments, Duesenberg II would construct only 7 such
masterpieces. The vehicle offered here being one of those
distinctive examples completed on August 16th, 1999.
Finished in attractive Royal Blue over supple Gray Leather interior
and matching Blue Stayfast cloth convertible top, this replica 1935
Duesenberg Model SJ Torpedo Phaeton emulates the original to
perfection! Setting off the sculpted fender lines are a chassis,
suspension, underside of the fenders, and several under hood
components painted bright red for a stimulating presentation when
viewed from any distance! This gorgeous reproduction built by
Duesenberg II is powered by a Ford 5.8L fuel-injected V8 engine and
3-speed AOD transmission. A fantastic example that is now fitted
with modern conveniences to include air conditioning, power
windows, AM/FM/CD audio system, power steering, and power-assisted
disc brakes! Additional features include the dual cowls with
individual windshields, authentic chrome brightwork, chrome horns,
fog lamps, side-mounted spare tires, machine-turned metal surfaces,
spotlights, disappearing convertible top design with unique curved
rear trunk. Our Torpedo Phaeton has driven only 3,701 miles since
completion in 1999 and comes complete with original glass side
curtains, storage bags, front and rear seat belts, along with a
battery charging adapter for storage.
Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, it was found to be in
excellent mechanical condition with cold air conditioning, so we
would commence a complete detail of all cosmetics from the
undercarriage to the engine compartment. Today, it is ready for
show events and driving enjoyment with confidence! To learn more
about this stunning Duesenberg II model, or to schedule an
appointment to view this beauty in person, contact us at
(800)957-5707 or by emailing
[email protected]. Finance &
Shipping options available to those who qualify!
