1929 Duesenberg Model SJ Two-Door Convertible

The Duesenberg J was unabashedly advertised as 'The World's Finest Motor Car,' and the only copy used in many of the company's advertisements was simply, 'He/She drives a Duesenberg.' The list of Duesenberg buyers was a Who's Who of Hollywood elite along with captains of industry. No wonder - a bare chassis cost $7,500 and coachwork added another $10,000 to $15,000 (the cost of a new Ford in 1929 was less than $400).

This 1929 Duesenberg SJ with coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz is a previous Ault Park Concours d'Elegance 'Best of Show' winner. Duesenberg automobiles were offered from 1913 thru 1937. Industrialist E.L. Cord purchased the Indianapolis, IN, company in 1926 and hired Fred Duesenberg to design a luxury chassis and an engine that would be the best in the world. The Duesenberg Model J was introduced at the New York Car Show of 1928. In unsupercharged form, the J produced a whopping 276 horsepower from a straight-8 engine with dual overhead camshafts, and was capable of a top speed of 119 mph, and 94 mph in 2nd gear. The supercharged version of the Model J, the SJ, could do 104 mph in second and have a top speed of 135-140 mph in third gear; and at a time when the best cars of the era would not exceed 100 mph. Prices ranged from $13,500 to $25,000.

This car has Murphy roadster-style coachwork that was modernized and restyled in period by Bohman & Schwartz of Pasadena, California. Styling changes included a full-length hood, a long flowing back body treatment, special skirted fenders, an external exhaust, and modern full-face bumpers. The standard Duesenberg grille and lighting were retained. One of the earliest owners of this car was Edward Beale McLean, who famously owned the Hope Diamond and whose family owned The Washington Post. The current owner bought the car in 1994.

Christian Bohman and Maurice Schwartz, located in Pasadena, California, were well known for their elegant coachwork during the 1930s and worked on creating bodies for many marques such as Cadillac, Cord, LeSalle, Buick, and Duesenberg. Both Bohman and Schwartz had been employees of the Walter M. Murphy Company before it was dissolved; went they found themselves without employment, they formed their own company in 1932 and continued until 1947.

This 1929 Duesenberg SJ has coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz.