1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe

Duesenberg introduced the Model SJ in 1932 denoting a 320 horsepower supercharged version of the magnificent Duesenberg straight-eight, 55 horsepower more than its normally aspirated brother. Just 36 were produced between 1932 and 1937 for an additional $1,000 per chassis. The North family has owned this automobile since 1953 when John North successfully talked his father into buying him the car as a graduation gift from Harvard Law School. It was listed for sale in a New York Times ad for $2,250 while selling for a $2,000 negotiated price. He and his late-wite Ethel drove the car from Maryland to Sea Island, Georgia on their honeymoon; later using the car as their daily driver. Other than a repaint and some new chrome, it is essentially unrestored and largely original with just 60,000 miles from new.

Great ingredients guarantee spectacular results. In the case of a Duesenberg, it was the magical combination of Fred Duesenberg's mechanical skills, E. L. Cord's capital, and a supercharged 320 horsepower Lycoming straight eight engines, that resulted in a legendary vehicle. It produced 55 more horsepower than its normally aspirated cohort. There were just 36 examples produced, which cost an additional $1,000 per chassis before the company went under in 1937. That meant that an SJ was a $9,500 investment before the owner spent a single cent on its custom body! No coachbuilder bodied more chassis for Duesenberg than Walter M. Murphy Co, of Pasadena, California.

Duesenbergs were innovative machines, debuting innovations which have since become industry standards. Some of these are heat-treated molybdenum steel chassis, ground, instead of cast, transmission gears, lightweight tubular axles, and a self-damping design reducing crankshaft vibrations. This was America's first straight eight and the first overhead camshaft production car.

This car, engine SJ478 and chassis 2496, is now on its third owner. Initially, it was owned by an executive of the A&P Grocery chain. It was then the property of a Harvard student who saw it advertised for sale in a New York Times ad in 1953. The asking price was a hefty $2,000.

The car is a Murphy Coupe with a disappearing top and has never been restored. Unlike many of the other Duesenberg Model J's, its engine is painted red. Apparently, the factory-installed supercharged motor was rebuilt in the 1950s at which point it was painted red. The current caretaker has owned it since 1953 when he successfully talked his father into buying him the car as a gift for graduating from Harvard Law School. It was listed for sale in a New York Times ad for $2,250. Other than a repaint and some new chrome, The Duesie is essentially unrestored and in remarkably original condition with just 60,000 miles from new.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2016