Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
On December 1, 1928, at the New York Auto Salon, the Duesenberg Model J was unveiled to the world. It was easily the highlight of the show. Duesenberg quickly ordered enough parts to build 500 Model Js with the first customer receiving their vehicle in May of 1929. Five months later, the stock market took a dive and the Great Depression was in full swing.
Duesenberg embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign that targeted the wealthy. The vehicles carried an ambiance that was virtually unmatched. The style, power, and durability quickly propelled the car into an elite group of automobiles that only a few marques have been able to achieve. Each vehicle was tailor-made to the buyer's specifications and desires.
Located in Rosemount, Pennsylvania was the Derham Body Company. They had built a reputation for constructing carriages and with the advent of the automobile, carried over their trade. They specialized in building limousines, town cars, and formal-bodied cars. They did experiment with a few open-bodied cars which are considered by many to be their ultimate achievement.
This example shown is a recreation of the Derham-bodied cars. The original body is believed to have been a Murphy-bodied Convertible.
This 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster with chassis number J206 has coachwork in the style of Derham. It is powered by a 420 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower. The three-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels while the vacuum-assisted four-wheel hydraulic brakes provide the stopping power. The car is suspended in place by a front axle beam and a live rear axle.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
Duesenberg embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign that targeted the wealthy. The vehicles carried an ambiance that was virtually unmatched. The style, power, and durability quickly propelled the car into an elite group of automobiles that only a few marques have been able to achieve. Each vehicle was tailor-made to the buyer's specifications and desires.
Located in Rosemount, Pennsylvania was the Derham Body Company. They had built a reputation for constructing carriages and with the advent of the automobile, carried over their trade. They specialized in building limousines, town cars, and formal-bodied cars. They did experiment with a few open-bodied cars which are considered by many to be their ultimate achievement.
This example shown is a recreation of the Derham-bodied cars. The original body is believed to have been a Murphy-bodied Convertible.
This 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster with chassis number J206 has coachwork in the style of Derham. It is powered by a 420 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower. The three-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels while the vacuum-assisted four-wheel hydraulic brakes provide the stopping power. The car is suspended in place by a front axle beam and a live rear axle.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007
2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $500,000
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $430,000
1931 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J
(Data based on Model Year 1931 sales)
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2440 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for USD$1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Sedan Chassis#: 2187 Sold for USD$857,500 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2464 Sold for USD$3,415,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster 'Green Hornet' Chassis#: 2410 Sold for USD$1,650,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby Chassis#: 2438 Sold for USD$451,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Custom Berline Chassis#: 2371 Sold for USD$506,000 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J SWB Sport Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2486 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg II Dual Cowl Phaeton Sold for USD$134,750 2016 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2468 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Phaeton in the Style of Tourster Sold for USD$265,000 2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2456 Sold for USD$825,000 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2350 Sold for USD$462,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2440 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2013 RM Auctions - Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Dual Windshield ‘Barrelside' Phaeton by LeBaron Chassis#: 2318 Sold for USD$1,292,500 2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Limousine Chassis#: 2438 Sold for USD$330,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2363 Sold for USD$693,000 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster Chassis#: J444 Sold for USD$1,485,000 2007 RM Auctions - The McMullen Collection | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster Sold for USD$378,000 2007 The Florida Collector Car Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Special Phaeton Chassis#: 2189 Sold for USD$2,640,000 2006 The Otis Chandler Collection Auction |
Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Carrosserie Franay | 2465 | 2024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |||
1931 Duesenberg Model J | 2009 Automobiles of Arizona | $600,000 | $900,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J | 2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company | ||||
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster | J206 | 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook | $430,000 | $350,000 | $500,000 |
1931 Duesenberg J104 Convertible Victoria | 2004 The Florida Collector Car Auction | $425,000 | |||
1931 Duesenberg Model J Conv. Victoria | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $450,000 | |||
1931 Duesenberg Model J Sedan | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $280,000 | |||
1931 DUESENBERG TORPEDO PHAETON | 2319 | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $410,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $1,045,602 range.
1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé by Carrosserie Jean Barou Chassis#:110107 Sold for $1,043,873 2024 RM Sothebys : The Tegernsee Auction | |
1998 RUF BTR Chassis#:W09TD0364WPR06013 Sold for $1,050,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coachwork by Bertone Chassis#:4124 Sold for $1,037,077 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
2021 Ford GT Carbon Series Sold for $1,055,500 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1937 LAGONDA LG45 RAPIDE Chassis#:12245/G10S Sold for $1,055,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 d'Ieteren Frères Cabriolet Chassis#:13033 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:189.010.7500563 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO Chassis#:ZFF70RCA0B0183377 Sold for $1,039,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500277 Sold for $1,040,093 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
2021 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9DW4MH200013 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
2020 Ford GT Carbon Series Chassis#:2FAGP9DW8LH100186 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Sold for $1,045,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500570 Sold for $1,039,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Drophead Coupe by Lancefield Chassis#:169317 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2020 Ford GT MkII Chassis#:FPMMMK11012 Sold for $1,045,000 2022 Mecum : Monterey | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2547 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Lightweight Chassis#:964018 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1966 SHELBY 427 COBRA Chassis#:CSX 3192 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500137 Sold for $1,035,821 2022 RM Sothebys : Paris |
1931 Duesenberg Model J
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Duesenberg Model J model years