1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Victoria

The first Duesenberg Model J chassis was famously displayed at the 1929 New York Auto Show. Available in two wheelbases, it served as the ideal platform for some of the most luxurious coachwork produced during the Classic Era. Completed examples with coachwork had price tags often approaching $20,000.

Chassis number 2293 with engine J272 is a Model SJ Convertible Victoria with coachwork by the Rollston Company. The Rollston Company was founded in 1921. In 1927 Rudy Creteur moved to Rollston from Locke as chief designer. From that point on, Creteur was responsible for most of Rollston's design. Between 1927 and 1931, there were just 218 Rollston bodies built. In all, Rollston bodied 57 Model Js, with 16 of those being convertible Victorias.

Chassis number 2293 was purchased new by famous band leader Paul Whiteman, who had a LeBaron Sport Phaeton body installed. In 1932, the car was bought by G. Tucker Smith, Of Virginia, from the Duesenberg factory branch in New York City, with the phaeton body still installed. Not satisfied with the open coachwork, in 1935 he purchased the Rollston Quarter-Window Convertible Victoria and had it installed on the car. The body was likely built from 1930-31 and was likely installed on another vehicle before being shown in Duesenberg's inventory later on. He also purchased a supercharger, which was installed and later replaced with a highly accurate reproduction unit.

Mr. Smith retained the car until 1938, when he traded it to Jones Motorcar Company, a Cadillac agency in Richmond, Virginia. Jones later sold the car to Mr. A. D. Price Jr., who was a local undertaker. Mr. Bruce Woodson, of Virginia, purchased the car in 1941 - changed the color to green - then sold it to Mr. Mike Hodich in 1945. By 1955, the car was owned by Dr. J. F. Martin in Pennsylvania, who kept the car for 21 years before selling it to Judge John North, of Easton, Maryland, in 1976. Leo Gephardt purchased the car in 1977 and sold it the following year to Dr. Don Vesley. In the early 1980s, it was purchased by John Farrell of Seattle, Washington. While in Mr. Farrell's care, the car was given a concours-quality restoration and retained the car for 15 years, before selling it to Packard collector David Kane, of Bernardsville, New Jersey. in 2001, it entered its current ownership

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the St. Johns Concours auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $850,000-$1,200,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $957,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2017