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 855-586-3413 or by emailing . Finance & Shipping options available to those who qualify!
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 855-586-3413 or by emailing . Finance & Shipping options available to those who qualify!