1927 Duesenberg Model X Tourer

In 1900, German immigrants and now Iowa bicycle makers August and Fred Duesenberg began experimenting with gasoline engines. In 1913 they began to manufacture cars. Their company failed, but they developed an engine that did well in the Indianapolis 500. During World War I, they built aircraft engines for the military and then used this expertise to design their famous straight-eight engine.

This 1927 Duesenberg Model X rides on a wheelbase that measures 141 inches and originally sold for approximately $75000. Power is from an in-line eight-cylinder engine offering 100 horsepower. It is very original and was owned new by the chief engineer of General Electric. It has its original interior, paint, and hat holder in the ceiling. This Model X carries series #095R and is fitted with sedan coachwork by Brunn.

The company had parts produced for 13 Model Xs before the program was cut short, and only four are accounted for today. The Model X is considered by many to be a transitional model between the Model A and the Model J. It was Fred Duesenberg's attempt to update and upgrade the Model A on a very limited budget. The Model X was similar to the Model A, however, the X version featured revised suspension and a slightly more powerful engine with a reverse-flow head. One of the bodies fitted on the Model X chassis would form the inspiration for the later Auburn Speedster.

The Model X was similar to the Model A, but featured a revised suspension, hypoid differential, and a slightly more powerful engine with a reverse-flow head. The eight-cylinder engine was capable of carrying the car to a top speed in the neighborhood of 100 mph. It rides on a 141-inch wheelbase and sports hydraulic brakes that Fred first used on his 1914 race cars. The brake design alone could have earned him a fortune had he the foresight to obtain a patent. Originally, just the chassis cost $7,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2011