Duesenbergs like this one have been owned by wealthy people. These pioneers created goods you may have used. Every Duesenberg Model J for sale has a fascinating narrative, and this one involves a rich genealogy that anyone who can invest milliоns on a 1930s car can continue.
The 1930s produced several automobile icons. Ford supplied the elegant yet functional Deluxe Model 40, Chrysler had the aerodynamic Airflow, while Cadillac developed massive V16 engines. Duesenbergs didn’t even sell themselves like their competitors. Cord Automobile commissioned Fred and Augie Duesenberg to build a competitive automobile, which they did with the luxurious Model J.
The Duesenberg Model J for sale commercials never displayed the car’s capabilities or the car itself. Instead of displaying the Model J, Duesenberg utilized posters of pompous persons with the caption “he/she drives a Duesenberg.” The Model J wasn’t designed for the typical buyer, so its marketing may have seemed brash and confused. For good reason, many people consider it the best 30s American automobile.
The Duesenberg Model J’s value is as good as its history
It was common to sаy “it’s a Duesy” to describe something special. This is because Duesenbergs were already great cars before they were named after famous people. A straight 8-cylinder Lycoming engine produced over 300 horsepower in every Duesenberg Model J, which was unheard of at the time. It was astonishing that supercharged Model J variations could reach nearly 130 mph when most automobiles couldn’t top 100.
Duesenberg’s halo model was an engineering marvel with a built-in altimeter. It used a hydraulic brake system that worked like ABS, a feature not seen on commercial cars until decades later. Since the Duesenberg Model J was sold during the Great Depression, such advancements merely raised its price. One in its heyday would cost over $300,000 today, making it an expensive car only a few could afford. Naturally, it attracted wealthy clients, including Philip K. Wrigley, the Wrigley chewing gum heir. Wrigley bought this 1929 Model J Convertible Coupe.
It’s a Duesy, not a hooptie
After 10,400 kilometers, the chewing gum magnate swapped his Model J’s body for a Lebaron Sweep Panel body a year later. Another famous person, radio station pioneer and CBS CEO H. Leslie Atlass, owned the trade automobile. Wrigley kept his Model J for seven years before returning it to the factory. Since then, the Duesy has changed ownership several times, including a storage yard where it sold for $250.
After years of meticulous restoration by Duesenberg enthusiasts, the Model J was restored to its former grandeur. The coupe appeared in the June 1973 issue of Car Classics magazine due to its careful efforts, but it won more awards. Pebble Beach hosted the identical example in 2004 and 2022, winning Concours d’Elegance prizes.
It was named Best Duesenberg at the 2010 Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club National Reunion. This 30s car icon is being auctioned for $2.9 million with the same parts as two famous personalities. Former Wrigley prized asset may appear pricey, but other Duesenberg Model Js sold for considerably more. Some models cost above $3 million to $5.7 million.A $22 million Duesenberg SJJ owned by Gary Cooper became the most expensive American automobile sold in 2018. These cars often change hands; in 2022, a ’29 model with 14 owners was worth $1.7 million.Given the Model J’s eight-figure pricing history, this auction piece at around $3 million seems like a steаl. A Model J is one of the few 30s automobiles that can compete with modern cars on the highway, and few individuals can sаy they possess a former corporate monarchy. Before entering the listing, remember you’re buying a Duesy, not a hooptie.
