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1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton

  • Coachwork by LeBaron
  • Designed by LeBaron
  • Chassis Number: 2149
  • Engine Number: J126
  • Body Number: 4046
A typical family sedan cost about $500 in the late 1920s. A Duesenberg automobile fetched around $20,000. The cars were built for royalty, the elite, and the wealthy. During the production lifespan of the Model J, which lasted from 1929 through 1936, only 470 chassis were built.

The Duesenberg Model Js were custom-built automobiles and crafted to meet the specific needs of their clientele. To carry these large bodies, the cars were powered by potent power plants. An optional supercharger raised that figure even further.

This 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton with coachwork by LeBaron, was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell between $1,600,000 - $2,000,000. It is powered by a 420 cubic-inch twin overhead camshaft eight-cylinder engine capable of producing 265 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The Drop Top body sits on a 142.5-inch wheelbase.

The vehicle's first owner was S. D. Locke of Bridgeport, CT. It was sold a short time later to Hugh Herndon, who kept it until 1933 before selling it to Jack R. Aron of New York City. Jack kept the car for about five years before selling it to R. S. Huested.

After the Second World War, the car was again up for sale, this time with a $500 price tag. The car passed through ownership throughout the years. During the 1960s, the owner at the time had the car restored and had an external exhaust added. It was shown at the AACA National Fall Meet in 1970 where it earned a National First Prize. It was shown at the Classic Car Club of America judging where it was awarded a National First Place in the Senior division.

The car passed through several more owners during the 1970s before being sold to Tom Barrett on behalf of Axel Wars for a friend of his, Federico Medarazo of Mexico. The car passed through two more owners from Mexico before returning to the United States.

A full mechanical and cosmetic restoration of the vehicle began in the early 2000s. The vehicle is equipped with proper Pilot Ray driving lights, wind wings, and external exhaust.

This elegant vehicle retains its original body and mechanical components. It is nearly identical to the condition in which the original owner took possession. At the RM Auction, the car found a new owner, though it sold for less than the estimated value. Bidding topped the one million dollar scale, selling for $1,490,400.

In 2009, this Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton with coachwork by LeBaron was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $1,250,000 - $1,750,000. As the gavel came down for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for the sum of $1,375,000 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011

2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,250,000-USD $1,750,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,375,000

1929 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J

(Data based on Model Year 1929 sales)
1929 Duesenberg Model J Berline
Chassis#: 2143
Sold for USD$2,260,000
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale Arizona
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sedan by Derham/Bohman & Schwartz
Chassis#: 2143
Sold for USD$737,000
  2018 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: J262
Sold for USD$1,155,000
  2018 Mecum : Monterey
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood
Chassis#: 2157
Sold for USD$990,000
  2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2151
Sold for USD$2,420,000
  2016 Gooding & Company : The Scottsdale Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2168
Sold for USD$1,402,500
  2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2151
Sold for USD$2,090,000
  2014 Gooding & Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan
Chassis#: 2163
Sold for USD$962,500
  2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan
Chassis#: 2132
Sold for USD$990,000
  2012 RM Auctions - Monterey
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton 'Blue J'
Chassis#: 2292
Sold for USD$1,980,000
  2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline
Chassis#: 2127
Sold for USD$803,000
  2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2136 / J116
Sold for USD$1,237,500
  2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J 7-Passenger Sedan
Sold for USD$357,500
  2010 Auctions America : Auburn Collector Car Auction
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: J262
Sold for USD$825,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J
Sold for USD$858,000
  2009 Automobiles of Arizona
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J
Sold for USD$1,375,000
  2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 DUESENBERG DERHAM CONVERTIBLE COUPE
Sold for USD$742,500
  2008 Worldwide Auctions - The Auburn Auction 2008
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2174
Sold for USD$1,760,000
  2008 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
1929 Duesenberg Model J image  1929 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J by Barker
Sold for USD$616,000
  2007 Gooding & Company
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: J262
Sold for USD$907,500
  2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook
 

Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction

1929 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sweep Panel Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron21772024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami $2,650,000$2,850,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J LaGrande Blind Quarter Brougham22102023 Mecum : Monterey$800,000$800,000$1,000,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J LaGrande Blind Quarter Brougham22102023 Mecum : Indy$850,000$1,250,000$1,500,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J1929 Duesenberg Model J LaGrande Blind Quarter Brougham22102023 Mecum : Kissimmee$900,000  
1929 Duesenberg Model J LaGrande Blind Quarter Brougham22102022 Mecum : Monterey$1,100,000  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Berline21432019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction   
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron21742010 Worldwide Auctions The Auburn Auction $1,700,000$2,000,000
1929 Duesenberg Phaeton 2009 Leake Auctions Dallas 37th Annual Leake Auto Auction Market Hall$600,000  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupé22392009 Bonhams Automobiles d'Exception à Retromobile $1,500,000$2,000,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J Derham Convertible Coupe 2008 Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale$640,000  
1929 Duesenberg J Sedanca De Ville 2006 Worldwide Auctions Houston Classic 2006   
1929 DUESENBERG DERHAM PHAETON KNOWN AS THE ELVIS DUESENBERG 2001 Kruse Auction Santa Clara, CA$880,000  
1929 DUESENBERG MODEL J TORPEDO CONVERTIBLE COUPE22212001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN$850,000  

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1929 Duesenberg Model J

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