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1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan

  • Coachwork by LeBaron
  • Chassis Number: 2350
  • Engine Number: J-338
This Duesenberg Model J was originally fitted with an Arlington sedan body by Derham and used as a factory demonstrator. After Several owners, the car was sold in 1944 to Mr. Marion Roberts of Grand Island, New York, where it joined another Duesenberg, (J127 on chassis 2152), which had originally been fitted with this LeBaron Convertible Sedan body. Both Duesenbergs were then sold to noted Duesenberg collector Homer Fitterling, who undertook a restoration on this Model J but sadly determined its original Derham body was beyond repair. A body swap was carried out, and the LeBaron Convertible Sedan was installed on the restored chassis of this car. Upon completion, the car was granted ACD Category One status by Duesenberg historian Fred Roe. More recently, the car spent a few years in the Petersen Collection. The current owner acquired it in 2013 and a new restoration has just been completed.
William S. Rupert of Philadelphia, PA took delivery of this Model J Duesenberg which had previously been used as a factory demonstrator. Originally, the car wore an Arlington sedan body built by Derham. In 1933, the car was purchased by William Ferguson, also of Philadelphia. Mr. Marion Roberts of Grand Island, New York purchased the car (along with J-127/2152) near the close of 1944. J-127, following a previous chassis renovation, had been fitted with a new Lebaron convertible sedan body. The LeBaron body had originally been destined to be installed on a Packard chassis. The Duesenbergs languished in his property before finally selling the automobiles as a pair to John North of Maryland in 1965. By mid-1967 Mr. North sold the pair to noted Duesenberg collector Homer Fitterling. During Mr. Fitterling's ownership, J-338 was treated to a thorough restoration. At that time, the LeBaron Convertible Sedan body was removed from chassis 2152 along with its firewall and installed on the restored chassis of J-338/2350. Upon completion, the car was put on display in the foyer of his museum.

In July of 1988, J-338 was inspected and certified by Duesenberg historian Fred Roe and was granted ACD Category One status. Upon Mr. Fitterling's passing, his entire collection was purchased as a group for $13 million by collector Ed Weaver. After Mr. Weaver's passing, his estate was sold at auction. J-338 was sold along with 20 other Duesenbergs among approximately 200 collector automobiles.

J-338 was subsequently shown at the 1996 Port Gardner Bay Concours where it earned high marks. In 2001, the convertible sedan was purchased by the current owner.

The car is currently finished in red and maroon over a red leather interior.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2013

2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,300,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,050,000

2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $425,000 
Sale Price :
USD $462,000

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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1931 Duesenberg Model J

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