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1931 Duesenberg Model J Limousine

  • Coachwork by Willoughby
  • Chassis Number: 2438
  • Engine Number: J-430
  • Style Number: J-430
  • Body Number: 7150
After final testing at the Duesenberg factory in the fall of 1930, J-430 was delivered to Willoughby Company of Utica, New York, for coachwork. Willoughby specialized in closed, formal coachwork and over the years, they would create approximately 45 bodies for Duesenberg, divided between five- and seven-passenger sedans and limousines. Most of their work was done on the long-wheelbase Duesenberg chassis.

On May 29 of 1931, J-430 was sold new to Henry Dolfinger. By May of 1935, the Model J Limousines appeared for sale at Hilton Motors, a used car dealership in Brooklyn, New York. From there, the car was sold to Doris Garfinkel. Sometime later, the Model J was sold to Dr. H. Breitenstool, a fellow New York City resident. It is believed that Mr. Breitenstool retained the car throughout the 1940s, during which time he also owned a similar Willoughby Limousine, J-271.

In September of 1955, the car was reportedly given to Dr. J. Lawrence Pool. While in his care, the car was cleaned and repainted. In November 1958, Homer Fitterling of South Bend, Indiana, purchased J-430 for a mere $2,500. In 1959, the car was displayed at the annual ACD meet in Auburn, Indiana, where it earned a First Place Primary award. During Mr. Fitterling's three-decade ownership, the J-430 was pictured in Fred Roe's book, Duesenberg: The Pursuit of Perfection.

Following his death in 1989, the remainder of the Fitterling collection - including J-430 - was sold to Ed Weaver. When Mr. Weaver passed away in 1995, the Willoughby Limousine was sold to the Imperial Palace Collection. Approximately five years later, J-430 joined a museum collection in Chicago, Illinois, only to return to the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, soon after.

The current owner is a Los Angeles, California resident who acquired the car in 2004. Currently, it shows less than 44,500 miles. The inside retains its original gray broadcloth upholstery. It is outfitted with a roll-up divider, folding jump seats, silk curtains, rope pulls, and a Philco radio.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $330,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012

2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $650,000-USD $750,000 
Sale Price :
USD $451,000

2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $400,000-USD $500,000 
Sale Price :
USD $330,000

1931 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J

(Data based on Model Year 1931 sales)
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2440
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron
Sold for USD$1,050,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Sedan
Chassis#: 2187
Sold for USD$857,500
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2464
Sold for USD$3,415,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster 'Green Hornet'
Chassis#: 2410
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby
Chassis#: 2438
Sold for USD$451,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Custom Berline
Chassis#: 2371
Sold for USD$506,000
  2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, Arizona
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J SWB Sport Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2486
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg II Dual Cowl Phaeton
Sold for USD$134,750
  2016 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2468
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Phaeton in the Style of Tourster
Sold for USD$265,000
  2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2456
Sold for USD$825,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2350
Sold for USD$462,000
  2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2440
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Arizona
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Dual Windshield ‘Barrelside' Phaeton by LeBaron
Chassis#: 2318
Sold for USD$1,292,500
  2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Limousine
Chassis#: 2438
Sold for USD$330,000
  2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2363
Sold for USD$693,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Chassis#: J444
Sold for USD$1,485,000
  2007 RM Auctions - The McMullen Collection
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Sold for USD$378,000
  2007 The Florida Collector Car Auction
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Special Phaeton
Chassis#: 2189
Sold for USD$2,640,000
  2006 The Otis Chandler Collection Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  

Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction

1931 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Carrosserie Franay24652024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction   
1931 Duesenberg Model J 2009 Automobiles of Arizona$600,000$900,000$1,200,000
1931 Duesenberg Model J 2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company   
1931 Duesenberg Model J ToursterJ2062006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook$430,000$350,000$500,000
1931 Duesenberg J104 Convertible Victoria 2004 The Florida Collector Car Auction$425,000  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Conv. Victoria 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island$450,000  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Sedan 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island$280,000  
1931 DUESENBERG TORPEDO PHAETON23192001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN$410,000  

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Chassis#:198.042.8500137
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1931 Duesenberg Model J

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