1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe

The superb Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe coachwork on this Duesenberg chassis is a classic example of mid-1930s styling, designed by Murphy in Pasadena, California. The engine, the factory-supercharged SJ (J527) was transplanted from another chassis (2556) in the late 1930s by Shirley D. Mitchell, one of the car's early owners. After passing through the hands of publisher William Randolph Hearst, the car was acquired in 1939 by Norberto Angonesy Quintana, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Paris, and it accompanied him to Cuba, Paris, and Madrid. In 1976, the car was comprehensively restored in Spain, and 15 years later it was acquired by Al Webster, a Canadian collector who had the engine rebuilt. Robert Gottlieb, classic car author and founding member of the CCA, purchased the car and had it certified by the Auburn-Cord Duesenberg Club. In 2000 the Duesenberg received a fresh coat of Dark Garnet Red paint.

This Duesenberg was sold in New York in 1933 wearing a convertible coupe body created by Rollston and equipped with a supercharged engine number SJ527. It was driven for approximately a year and traded it in on a new Duesenberg, with Rollston body, but wanted the old Rollston body moved to the new chassis (which was equipped with an un-supercharged engine). The car was sold several times and in 1936, was acquired by publisher William Randolph Hearst. It was later stolen, damaged, and the new owner had a J401 engine and this 2406 chassis clothed with Murphy coachwork. The J401 engine had been sourced from another project and the SJ527 engine was installed in 1939.

The car's next owner was Norberto Angones Quintana in Cuba who was appointed the first secretary of the Cuban embassy in Paris in 1939. This Duesenberg accompanied Quintana to Cuba and to his next appointment at the Cuban embassy in Madrid in 1941. Several owners in Spain followed, and during this time the supercharger was removed and replaced by a standard Model J intake manifold and carburetor.

Archie Meinerz of Spain acquired the car in 1976 and treated it to a comprehensive restoration. Following nearly 15 years of ownership, the car was sold to Canadian collector Al Webster in 1990. Mr. Webster commissioned a complete engine rebuild by Brian Joseph, and upon disassembly, it was verified that all the correct, and extensive, internal upgrades for the factory-supercharged SJ engine were present. The rebuild was completed with the intention that J527 would one day be supercharged again.

The car's next owner was Robert Gottlieb and in 1993, 2406/J527 was certified by Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club Level 1 with certificate D074. It was sold in 2000 to Piers MacDonald who had Stone Barn Restoration repaint it in its present Dark Garnet Red. Stone Barn also fitted new chrome wire wheels and a new top and rebuilt the brakes. The transmission was rebuilt by Brian Joseph.

The car entered new ownership in August 2003 which had it sent to RM Restoration to prepare it for use in road events and tours. Among the work was the installation of an exact reproduction of the original Duesenberg SJ supercharger.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2008