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1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan

  • Coachwork by Willoughby
  • Chassis Number: 2253
  • Engine Number: J245
Fred and August Duesenberg designed a twin-cylinder car in 1906 in Des Moines, Iowa. The two brothers named the creation, the Mason, after its backer, a local attorney. The car proved to be rather fast and reliable, winning many races and hillclimbs. After a disastrous change of ownership in 1913, the Duesenbergs left to form their own company in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In 1916, the Duesenberg Motors Corporation moved into a new factory in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They had built a solid reputation for creating highly successful board track racers which had enabled them to begin series production. Plans changed, and instead of entering production, they built aero engines in support of the war effort.

Production of the Duesenberg automobiles resumed in 1922. By this time, the brothers had given the company a new name, the Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Corporation, of Indianapolis. The Model A had been shown in prototype form in 1920 and was powered by a horizontal-valve, straight-eight engine, and hydraulic brakes. When it emerged a few years later in production guise, it had an overhead-camshaft engine.

The Model A did well in racing, but in the market place, it fared less well. By 1927, less than 700 examples had been constructed.

In 1926, Errett Lobban Cord purchased the Duesenberg Company. A short time later, the most powerful American car made appeared, the Duesenberg Model J. It was powered by a twin-overhead-camshaft, 32-valve, straight-eight engine capable of producing 265 horsepower. The elegant bodies sat atop of a wheelbase that came in two sizes, 142.5- or 153.5-inches. In 1932, the supercharged SJ was introduced, which increased horsepower to 320. A short time later, it was increased farther with the 'ram's horn' manifolding.

This 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan started life as a Sedan/Limousine with coachwork by Willoughby and Criteser & Company. It carries chassis number 2253 and engine number J245. Its first owner was a Chicago, Illinois resident who kept the car until 1958, when it was sold to Charles D. Turek, also of Illinois. By this point in history, the car had been converted to an open coachwork configuration. The car was purchased in the mid-1980s by Don Criteser of Oregon. Under his care, the car was treated to a complete restoration. This task was completed in 1987. Most of the body is the original Willoughby coachwork, albeit from the waistline upwards.

This car is a Pebble Beach invitee, and an award winner at numerous concours events. It was awarded the 'Sweepstake' award at Forest Grove, 'Best Duesenberg' at Palo Alto in 2005, and 'Best in Class' and 'Judges Pick' at Hillsboro in 2006.

This car was offered for sale at the 2006 Bonhams & Butterfields auction held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California where it was estimated to sell between $500,000 - $600,000. The lot was sold for $502,000, just barely satisfying the estimated value and meeting the reserve. The Model J cars are among the most sought-after in the collector car market, and this brilliant Willoughby example will most certainly be an excellent addition to any collection and a welcomed contender for high honors at any major concours. The restoration still appears to be very fresh and is said to be in excellent running condition.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011

No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

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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