1930 DUESENBERG

In 1884, eight year old Fred Duesenberg and his younger brother, August, moved from Germany to Iowa to seek a better life. Their first mechanical training was in the form of repairing farm equipment. Making their own spare parts and re-engineering old machinery became a way of life for these young boys. Fred, the designer, and August, the fabricator, continued their partnership in numerous ventures, culminating in the formation of the Duesenberg Motor Company in 1913. By the early '20s the Duesenberg brothers had designed and built marine engines, aero engines, as well as many successful race cars and engines.

In mid-1921, their first Model A Duesenberg passenger car went on sale to the general public. By 1926, the company was in financial trouble and was purchased by E.L. Cord, owner of the Auburn Automobile Company, who had a vision of producing the "grandest automobile in the world."

Fred then went to work for Cord to help him realize his vision, and thus the Model J Duesenberg was born. Production began in 1928, and seven years later the chassis was completed. There were only 480 Model Js produced, 37 of which were SJs (supercharged). Like many expensive luxury cars of the day, Duesenberg built only running chassis which featured a 420 cubic inch, 265 hp, double overhead cam, 32 valve, 8 cylinder engine.

Coachwork was created by many prominent coach builders, such as Murphy of Pasadena, California, which built this striking one of a kind Sports Sedan body. Its polished aluminum trim as well as ultra thin windshield posts to allow "clear vision" for its passengers were very stylish for the period.

"It's a Duesy!"---not simply an expression we use today but also an affirmation of the grand machines produced by Duesenberg, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana.