1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster

On December 1, 1928, at the New York Auto Salon, the Duesenberg Model J was unveiled to the world. It was easily the highlight of the show. Duesenberg quickly ordered enough parts to build 500 Model Js with the first customer receiving their vehicle in May of 1929. Five months later, the stock market took a dive and the Great Depression was in full swing.

Duesenberg embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign that targeted the wealthy. The vehicles carried an ambiance that was virtually unmatched. The style, power, and durability quickly propelled the car into an elite group of automobiles that only a few marques have been able to achieve. Each vehicle was tailor-made to the buyer's specifications and desires.

Located in Rosemount, Pennsylvania was the Derham Body Company. They had built a reputation for constructing carriages and with the advent of the automobile, carried over their trade. They specialized in building limousines, town cars, and formal-bodied cars. They did experiment with a few open-bodied cars which are considered by many to be their ultimate achievement.

This example shown is a recreation of the Derham-bodied cars. The original body is believed to have been a Murphy-bodied Convertible.

This 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster with chassis number J206 has coachwork in the style of Derham. It is powered by a 420 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower. The three-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels while the vacuum-assisted four-wheel hydraulic brakes provide the stopping power. The car is suspended in place by a front axle beam and a live rear axle.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2007