Vehicle Description
1926 Duesenberg Model-A Show Chassis. Runs and drives. Ex Homer
Fitterling / Ed Weaver Collection. Seat not included with chassis.
Sold with Bill of Sale only.�Perfect for that speedster project,
new coachwork or beautiful display. The automotive history of the
Duesenberg brothers began long before they produced the first
Duesenberg automobile. Fred Duesenberg began building bicycles in
Iowa. Soon after, he was hired to design and build a vehicle, which
was called the Mason. In 1913 he partnered with his brother Augie
and they designed and manufactured automobile and marine engines.
The brothers soon found that their real interests were in racing
and modified many of their marine and automobile engines into high
performance engines that were fitted in a variety of racecars. As
builders, they became so successful that they attracted the
attention of some of the most successful racecar drivers of the era
including Eddie Rickenbacker and Ralph Mulford. Duesenberg powered
racecars were winning races all over the mid west and the brothers
were becoming well known. By 1920, the brothers decided they wanted
to manufacture a production car. The first Duesenberg automobile,
called the Model A, was introduced at the New York Automobile Show
in 1922. The new, Model A Duesenberg was a car that was designed
ahead of its time. Its eight-cylinder, inline, overhead camshaft
engine developed 100 horsepower with a 260 cubic inch displacement.
It was also the first production American car to be equipped with
hydraulic brakes. The Model A was constructed using many aluminum
components, which kept its weight down. All of these features came
with a cost, as the cheapest vehicles were priced at $6,500.00.
Duesenberg only manufactured the chassis assemblies and bodies were
custom built by some of the finest coach-builders of the 1920s.
During the five years the Model A Duesenberg was produced, only
about 650 vehicles were built and sold. After producing the Model
A, the Duesenberg Company was sold to E.L.Cord who would build a
new Duesenberg for 1929- the legendary Model J. This 1926
Duesenberg Model A chassis has been owned by some of the most
important collectors in the vintage automobile hobby. It was
restored by Al and Dottie Bennett for the late Homer Fitterling of
South Bend, Indiana. The chassis was later sold to the noted
Duesenberg collector Ed Weaver before being� purchased by the
current owner. The chassis was last publically displayed in the
1995 ACD Labor Day Reunion Meet where it also participated in the
Annual Parade of Classics. In recent years, it has been displayed
in a private museum. Although this chassis is assembled from parts,
all of parts are original Model A Duesenberg components. This car
retains an original Duesenberg firewall tag, which labels the
chassis as car number 765 and engine number 1164. It should be
noted, however, that this engine is number 1010 and does not match
the number on the build plate. The 100 horsepower, Duesenberg
overhead camshaft engine is complete and retains its rare, original
Schebler Model S updraft carburetor as well as its original
ignition system, water pump, manifolds, starter and generator. The
radiator has its original honeycomb-style core and is fitted with
an original Model A Duesenberg radiator shell. The 141" wheelbase
chassis assembly is in excellent condition and is made up of all
original Model A Duesenberg parts including the front-end assembly,
rear end assembly, steering assembly, brakes, shock absorbers and a
rare, proper set of Rudge Whitworth wire wheels. The chassis starts
easily and runs well. The hydraulic brakes are working and the
brake pressure gauge also works. With the exhaust cut out open, the
engine really sounds like an aggressive racecar. The car is
currently being operated from the gas in the vacuum tank, but the
original gas tank could be made operable if needed. The original
gas gauge is present but not operating. The 20" Lester white wall
tires are older replacements but appear to be in good condition.
The driver's area retains correct and authentic Duesenberg Model A
instruments and controls mounted to an original firewall assembly.
Included is a complete oval dash cluster, ignition and light switch
assembly, steering wheel, pedal assemblies, brake and shift levers,
dash controls, etc. The mileage indicated on the odometer is about
77,500. The clock is missing one hand, but the other gauges appear
to be in very good, mostly original, condition. Original cast
aluminum floorboards are also present and are in very nice
condition. To drive the chassis, a temporary seat assembly has been
installed, but is not included in the sale. Overall, this is a
great opportunity to purchase what is likely to be one of the last,
remaining Duesenberg Model A chassis in existence today. This
chassis is ready to be displayed and operated. It is an extremely
impressive exhibit that really highlights the advanced engineering
accomplishments of Fred and Augie Duesenberg. It is being sold with
a bill of sale only, no title. Please contact us to schedule a
personal inspection or for more information.
