1926 Duesenberg Model A Sedan

The Duesenberg Model A was introduced in 1921. Power was from a straight-eight engine with aluminum pistons and the chassis was fitted with hydraulically operated four-wheel brakes - both were firsts for the American automobile industry.

This Duesenberg Model A Sedan has been in the care of just five owners since it left the Duesenberg factory in 1926. It was purchased new by George W. Bell of Marion, Indiana who kept the car for nearly four years. On February 4, 1930, records indicate that Mr. Bell traded the Duesenberg toward a new Packard 745 Convertible Coupe, receiving $1,200 in trade-in value. The Packard dealer, George C. Moeller of St. Augustine, Florida kept the car in storage for the next 35 years. In October of 1965, he sold it to Gaylord Rowe of Ellenberg, New York. Mr. Rowe had the car placed in storage for an additional 30 years before he sold it to Eric Killorin of Weybridge, Vermont, in 1995. In February 2002, the car was purchased by its current owner.

The Duesenberg retains all its original paint, plating, glass, instruments, carpets, and upholstery. It has a complete set of custom striped cloth seat covers that were apparently fitted shortly after the car was new. It has less than 32,000 total miles showing on the odometer. In 2002, the car was invited to compete in the Preservation Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won Second in Class. In 2003, the car completed a trip from the San Francisco Bay Area, through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to Carson City, Nevada, and back without incident.

Currently, this Model A is one of fewer than 60 known to survive. It is estimated that 600 were built.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $140,000 - $180,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $176,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

As of 2021, this Model A Sedan is in good mechanical condition having traveled less than 32,000 miles.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012