For Sale: 1932 Duesenberg Model J in Saint Louis, Missouri

December 1, 1928, is a significant date in motoring history, marking the unveiling of Duesenberg's show-stopping Model J at that year's New York Auto Show. The Duesenberg Brothers had already earned an enviable reputation on the racetrack, and their initial road-going car, the Model A, caught the attention of E.L. Cord. Cord had an ambitious plan to build the undisputed finest car in the world, and with his acquisition of the Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Co, he could make that dream reality. The superlative new Model J was an engineering masterpiece, with a 420-cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine at its heart, designed by Fred Duesenberg and built by Cord subsidiary Lycoming. The engine bore race-proven technology including twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, producing an astonishing 265 horsepower in naturally aspirated form - or a mighty 320 horsepower when fitted with the optional supercharger, astounding figures for 1928! Handling all that power was an overbuilt chassis with revolutionary hydraulic drum brakes and fully automatic chassis lubrication operating every 30-60 miles. The Model J was far and above the fastest, most exclusive, and most expensive car in America, capable of vanquishing nearly anything that came its way.
Timing was not on Cord's side, as the entry price of nearly $10,000 for a chassis alone came just as an economic depression loomed. Despite its headline-grabbing stats, sales topped off at just 481 cars in total - well short from E.L. Cord's ambitious, and likely unrealistic, goal of 500 vehicles per year. While the Model J was sold over a span of several years before the company's untimely demise, nearly all of the chassis were constructed between 1929 and 1930, but updates were incorporated as orders trickled in.
Like its competitors, Duesenberg sold customers a complete rolling chassis, while bodies were produced either by outside coachbuilder or via the house LaGrande label (produced by Union City Body Company). Independent firms including LeBaron, Murphy, and Judkins also offered a wide array of catalogue styles from stately limousines to rakish convertibles and were always ready to accommodate special requests for unique coachwork.
LeBaron Carrosserie was one of the most prolific producers of Duesenberg J bodies producing some 40 bodies and earning an enviable reputation for exceptional quality. In fact, when choosing a name for its in-house body catalogue, A-C-D management chose the phonetically similar "LaGrande" deliberately playing on LeBaron's stellar reputation.
The Model J remains one of the most collectible and coveted American automobiles ever produced, with a sense of occasion and grandeur that has rarely been repeated. Chassis number 2185/J-156 aptly demonstrates the Model J's impact, with its striking Dual Cowl "Sweep Panel" coachwork in the style of LeBaron.
According to marque historians including Fred Roe, Josh Malks, and J.L. Elbert, chassis 2185/J-156 is a long-wheelbase example, fitted from new with LeBaron's handsome dual cowl Sweep Panel body. It is an early car, as evidenced by the black honeycomb radiator which lacks the more common chrome slats of the later cars. It gives the car a subtly purposeful look, which suits the sporting LeBaron coachwork. It is understood that this car suffered a road accident in the early 1930s - a not-too-uncommon occurrence with owners experiencing the Model J's performance for the first time. Following the crash, it was deemed too costly to repair, and while some notes suggest the car was "scrapped," the reality is that it was simply parked in storage - where it sat, undisturbed and unused for the next half-century.
In the early 1980s, the car was discovered and acquired by the late Rick Carroll, a renowned collector who owned an astounding number of Duesenberg Js during his lifetime. By the 1980s, any Model J had become very much worth saving, and Carroll set about restoring 2185 to its original splendor. Following disassembly and evaluation, it was determined that the chassis could not be safely repaired, so an accurate replacement was sourced. Likewise, the coachwork was damaged beyond repair, so a new body was faithfully recreated in the style of the original LeBaron Sweep Panel Dual Cowl Phaeton, distinguished by its rakish windscreen, low roof line, and gracefully sweeping feature lines on the body sides.
A particularly attractive color scheme was chosen, consisting of medium blue on the body and fenders, with lighter blue on the sweep panel accents, separated by a discreet silver stripe. Period accessories include dual side mount spares with body-color metal covers, dual Pilot Ray driving lamps, chrome wire wheels mounted with double-sided whitewall tires, and a trunk rack with leather trunk. The running boards feature beautifully varnished woodwork, which contrasts marvelously with the blue paintwork for a touch of nautical-inspired sophistication. Dark blue leather complements the paintwork, and the tan canvas convertible top is piped in blue, further enhancing the 1930s Newport, Rhode Island aesthetic.
Following Mr. Carroll's passing, 2185/J-156 was sold in 1990 as part of the dispersal of his collection by Sotheby's. Following its restoration, 2185/J-156 earned awards including an AACA Senior National award in 1990 and was featured in the AACA Antique Automobile magazine.
Over the years it has been quietly in the care of private collections, and the restoration, while older, has been meticulously maintained with the car remaining in excellent condition overall. Evidence of light use is apparent throughout, demonstrating this car's usable nature. Light creasing of the leather upholstery presents an inviting atmosphere for driver and passengers, and every outing is sure to be a real occasion.
For the seasoned collector or first-time Duesenberg J buyer alike, 2185/J-156 presents an appealing opportunity. With its handsome and sporting coachwork distinctively presented in a gorgeous livery and finely maintained restoration it is suitable for participation in well-attended events such as The Duesenberg Tour, CCCA CARavan� tours, or to display in casual concours events.

Offers welcome and trades considered.