1923 Duesenberg Model A Touring

This 1923 Duesenberg Model A Tourer entered the care of William Johnson of Burbank, California, in 1948 and remained with him for fifty-four years. In 2002, it was sold to Dr. Gregory Vanley. In complete original condition, the Duesenberg was now ready for a comprehensive restoration. The work was entrusted to Greg Morrell and would span ten years.

The current owner purchased the car around 2018 and displayed it in 2020 at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it won a class award and completed the Amelia tour.

The 260 cubic-inch, single overhead camshaft inline eight-cylinder engine has a single carburetor and delivers 88 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. There is a three-speed manual transmission, hydraulic drum brakes, and a semi-elliptical leaf spring suspension.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2023

The Duesenberg Model A was the vision of Fred and August Duesenberg and period advertising described it as a car that was 'Built to outclass, outrun and outlast any car on the road.' That claim was backed by a race-bred chassis with an innovative straight-eight overhead cam engine and advanced 4-wheel hydraulic brakes. Between 1921 and 1926 around 500 Model A Duesenbergs were built; the numbers were limited by the high price of $6,500.

The Duesenberg Model A was the first automobile in series production to have hydraulic brakes and a straight-eight engine. Known as the Duesenberg Straight Eight, the Model A was first shown in late 1920 at the Commodore Hotel in New York City. Production was delayed because of Fred Duesenberg's decision to redesign several aspects of the car including valvetrain changes from horizontal overhead valves to an overhead camshaft.

Like this example, many of these cars were finished by Duesenberg's favorite coachbuilder, Millspaugh & Irish. Today there are less than 40 complete cars remaining and fewer still with documented history and with their original engine, chassis, and coachwork.

This car, bodied by Millspaugh and Irish, spent an astonishing 54 years in storage locked away and untouched. It was discovered by a Duesenberg expert who was also aware of two Model A and one Model X Duesenberg in the owner's possession.