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1932 Duesenberg Model J Victoria Coupe

  • Coachwork by Judkins
  • Chassis Number: 2375
  • Engine Number: J-354
Two Duesenberg Model Js received Victoria coupe coachwork by Judkins Company of Merrimac, Massachusetts and were built atop a short (142.5-inch) wheelbase chassis. Beside the driver's seat was a small jump seat, with a two-passenger bench and built-in hat box in the rear. The two Judkins are chassis numbers J-333 and J-354. This particular example, chassis number J-354, was sold new in September of 1932 to Mortimer Warren Loewi. Mr. Loewi acquired the Duesenberg for $14,750 and kept it for a short period before selling it to Hilton Motors of New York in August 1934. The second owner is believed to be C.M. Peele, who also traded it back to Hilton Motors in relatively short order. The next owner was S.F. Williams who kept it until 1943, selling it to Norvin T. Harris, an officer in the United States Army.

The car re-surfaced at a used-car lot in Harris's hometown of New Orleans in 1949, where it was acquired by Dr. R. B. Dunham of Corpus Christi, Texas. After a few years, it was sold to fellow Texan David Pennington.

Dave McGahey of Texas purchased it in 1954 and retained it for nearly three decades. During that time, it received light restoration work. The next owner was Frank Kleptz of Terre Haute, Indiana. At the time of purchase, the car was in need of a complete nut-and-bolt restoration. A restoration soon followed and took over a decade to complete. It made a public appearance (although the restoration was still unfinished) at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg National Reunion in 1994. It appeared in 1996, by now completed, and again in 2001 and 2002.

After Mr. Kleptz passed away, ownership fell to his son David. Since 2015 it has been part of a private collection.

The car won a Rolex Award at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance; Best in Show (Elegance) at the 2018 Milwaukee Concours d'Elegance; participated in the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Tour d'Elegance; and won awards at the Hilton Head Concours, St. Johns, San Marino Concours, Boca Raton Concours, and the Auburn-Cord Duesenberg Festival.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019
Only two short-wheelbase Victoria Coupes Model Js were built. They are J-333 and J-354. This is the second of those produced. It is considered one of the most prominent original designs created for the Duesenberg chassis. The design was the product of the mind of Gordon Buehrig and the execution was by the Judkins Company of Merrimac, Massachusetts. The car was originally delivered to Mortimer Warren Loewi, a New York Financier. It has passed through several owners, most especially noted Duesenberg enthusiast Fred Kleptz of Indiana. He restored the car to its original color scheme as well as added the Crosley radio to the rear seating area. Restoration of any Duesenberg is not a simple undertaking, the work took more than a decade. The car retains its original engine, body, and chassis. It rides on a short wheelbase chassis (142.5-inch wheelbase). It is designed to transport three people in opulence and comfort.

Provenance *
* Please note, dates are approximate

2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,400,000-USD $1,800,000 
Lot was not sold

1932 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J

(Data based on Model Year 1932 sales)
1932 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2841
Sold for USD$1,127,000
  2023 Bonhams : Quail
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Chassis#: J490X
Sold for USD$665,000
  2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction
 
1932 Duesenberg Model J Stationary Victoria by Rollston
Chassis#: 2505
Sold for USD$1,325,000
  2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Sold for USD$522,500
  2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee
 
1932 Duesenberg Model J Rollston Torpedo Berline
Chassis#: 2574
Sold for USD$880,000
  2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J Town Car by Kirchhoff
Chassis#: 2514
Sold for USD$594,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J Phaeton
Chassis#: J4632480
Sold for USD$600,000
  2016 Mecum : Monterey
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J
Chassis#: J4632480
Sold for USD$720,000
  2015 Mecum : Monterey
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J Phaeton
Chassis#: 2480
Sold for USD$500,000
  2015 Mecum : Houston
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J LWB Custom Speedster
Sold for USD$297,000
  2012 Worldwide Auctions - The Houston Classic Auction
 
1932 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2206
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 DUESENBERG MODEL J DUAL-COWL PHAETON
Sold for USD$375,000
  2011 Auctions America - Spring Auburn
 
1932 DUESENBERG MODEL J FIVE-PASSENGER SEDAN
Sold for USD$404,250
  2011 Auctions America - Spring Auburn
 
1932 DUESENBERG MODEL J DUAL COWL PHAETON
Sold for USD$440,000
  2011 Auctions America - Fort Lauderdale
 
1932 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline
Chassis#: J546
Sold for USD$726,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  
1932 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Chassis#: J356
Sold for USD$550,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
 
1932 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton
Chassis#: 2276
Sold for USD$500,500
  2004 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall
 
1932 DUESENBERG J LEBARON DUAL COWL PHAETON
Chassis#: 2206
Sold for USD$830,000
  2001 Kruse Auction - Auburn, IN
1932 Duesenberg Model J image  1932 Duesenberg Model J image  

Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction

1932 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1932 Duesenberg Model J Victoria Coupe by Judkins23752019 RM Sothebys : Monterey $1,400,000$1,800,000
1932 Duesenberg Model J Tourster25712015 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours $625,000$875,000
1932 DUESENBERG SUPERCHARGED MODEL J BOATTAIL SPEEDSTER 2011 Auctions America Auburn Fall Auction$450,000$600,000$750,000
1932 Duesenberg Model J Custom Speedster25222011 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale $400,000$600,000

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1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  

1932 Duesenberg Model J

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Specifications
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Other Duesenberg Model J model years

1932 Duesenberg Model J Vehicle Profiles

1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Dual Cowl Phaeton
Chassis #: 2841
Engine #: J-474
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Dual Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork: LeBaron
Chassis #: 2206
Engine #: J-182
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Victoria Coupe
Coachwork: Rollston & Company
Chassis #: 2505
Engine #: J490
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Town Car
Coachwork: Kirchhoff
Chassis #: 2514
Engine #: J-497
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Victoria Coupe
Coachwork: Judkins
Chassis #: 2375
Engine #: J-354
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Dual Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork: LaGrande
Chassis #: 2480
Engine #: J-463
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Formal Sedan
Coachwork: Rollston & Company
Chassis #: 2574
Engine #: J546
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Convertible Coupe
Coachwork: Bohman & Schwartz
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Torpedo Phaeton
Coachwork: Weymann
Chassis #: 2319
Engine #: J396
1932 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Coupe
Designer: Judkins Company of Amesbury
Chassis #: 2162
Engine #: J-137