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1930 Duesenberg Model J LeGrande Torpedo Phaeton

  • Coachwork by Walker
  • Chassis Number: 2276
  • Engine Number: J-255
Originally this Duesenberg was manufactured as a Model J Judkins Limousine. It was sold to William Sandow, the Manager of Ed 'The Strangler' Lewis, who was known as the greatest wrestler of all time. He would later sell the car to E.L. Cord who gave it to his wife for use as her daily transportation.

It would change hands several times and eventually be sold to de Nora of Pacific Auto Rental in Hollywood, California. It was often rented out for various films, including 'Some Like it Hot' with Marilyn Monroe. The car's movie career would end in 1985 when it was sold to the Imperial Palace Collection. The car would undergo a complete restoration and pass through several prominent collectors, acquiring numerous prestigious awards. The current owners acquired this car several months ago.
The Duesenberg Motor Company was founded in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1913. They relocated to a larger facility in New Jersey in 1917 where the Duesenberg brothers (Fred and August) built a special 16-cylinder engine that powered a Land Speed Record car to a 158 MPH top speed run at Daytona Beach. A year later, they designed and built a 180 cubic-inch inline-8 cylinder engine inspired by a Bugatti engine. The Duesenberg engine used a single overhead camshaft design with three valves per cylinder. It was used in 1921 to power the only American car ever to win the French Grand Prix. Over a four-year period ending in 1927, Duesenberg race cars would win the Indianapolis 500 three times. By this point in history, the company had been purchased by E.L. Cord.

E.L. Cord's purpose for the Duesenberg brand and engineering acumen acquisition was to build 'The World's Finest Motor Car.' The goal was accomplished with the introduction of the Model J at the 1928 New York Auto Show.

This Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton wears coachwork by Fran Roxas in the style of Walker LaGrande. It is chassis number 2276 and is powered by engine number J-255. It was delivered new to William Sandow as a long chassis Model J wearing Judkins Limousine coachwork. By 1935, the car was used by E.L. Cord's wife before it was acquired in 1937 by John W. de Noira for use in his Pacific Auto Rental in Hollywood. It would remain with the company for the next 48 years and star in many movies, perhaps making it the most filmed Duesenberg ever.

When Pacific Auto Rental was liquidated in 1985, this Duesenberg was sold to Fred and Dave Weber of St. Louis. The Webers had the body removed and replaced with new coachwork. Fran Roxas of Chicago was tasked with building an exact replica of the Walker LaGrande Torpedo Phaeton.

The Webers later sold this Duesenberg and the Judkins body separately. The Judkins body current rests on car 2128.

The car was sold on several occasions, passing from Don Williams' Blackhawk Collection in 2007 to a North East collection where it received detail work including having the top replaced completely in black cloth and the fit of the rear windows improved. In 2008, the car was shown at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance where it was voted 'Most Outstanding Open Car.'

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2018

2019 Mecum : Kissimmee

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,100,000 
Sale Price :
USD $935,000

2018 Mecum : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,200,000 
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $900,000

2016 Mecum : Monterey

High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $800,000

2014 Mecum - Kissimmee

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,100,000-USD $1,500,000 
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $1,100,000

2013 Mecum Auctions - Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $850,000-USD $1,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $950,000

2013 Bonhams - Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance

Sale Price :
USD $698,500

2011 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Sale

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

2010 Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance-Collectors' Motorcars

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

1930 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J

(Data based on Model Year 1930 sales)
1930 DUESENBERG MODEL J DUAL COWL 'BARRELSIDE' PHAETON
Chassis#: 2323
Sold for USD$2,975,000
  2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Hibbard & Darrin Transformable Cabriolet
Chassis#: 2329
Sold for USD$1,435,000
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Willoughby Limousine
Sold for USD$1,000,000
  2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by LeBaron
Chassis#: 2380
Sold for USD$1,061,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria
Chassis#: 2474
Sold for USD$1,066,500
  2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Berline
Sold for USD$527,500
  2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Berline
Chassis#: J350
Sold for USD$605,000
  2020 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale Arizona Auction
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron
Chassis#: 2336
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton
Chassis#: 2276
Sold for USD$935,000
  2019 Mecum : Kissimmee
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2407
Sold for USD$770,000
  2018 Mecum : Las Vegas
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Imperial Cabriolet by Hibbard & Darrin
Chassis#: 2275
Sold for USD$995,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 DUESENBERG J DUAL-COWL PHAETON
Chassis#: J237
Sold for USD$880,000
  2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron
Chassis#: 2336
Sold for USD$1,155,000
  2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2347
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton
Chassis#: 2276
Sold for USD$950,000
  2013 Mecum Auctions - Monterey
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton
Chassis#: 2276
Sold for USD$698,500
  2013 Bonhams - Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance
1930 Duesenberg Model J image  1930 Duesenberg Model J image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine ACD Certified Category 1 Original
Chassis#: J2402
Sold for USD$370,000
  2012 Mecum - Anaheim, CA
 
1930 Duesenberg Boattail Speedster
Sold for USD$484,000
  2012 Auctions America - Auburn Spring
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2228
Sold for USD$990,000
  2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla
 
1930 DUESENBERG J
Chassis#: 2401
Sold for USD$1,045,000
  2012 Barrett-Jackson at Scottsdale, Arizona
 

Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction

1930 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby24022022 RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction $750,000$950,000
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton22762018 Mecum : Monterey$900,000$1,000,000$1,200,000
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton22762016 Mecum : Monterey$800,000  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible Formerly Owned by Tyrone Power23152014 Mecum Kissimmee$1,400,000$1,500,000$2,000,000
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Upgraded Coachwork by Fran Roxas of Chicago22762014 Mecum Kissimmee$1,100,000$1,100,000$1,500,000
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine Coachwork by WilloughbyJ24022012 Mecum Monterey, CA$350,000  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine24022012 Mecum Auctions Kissimmee Florida$350,000  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton22762011 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale $800,000$1,000,000
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton22762010 Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'EleganceCollectors' Motorcars $800,000$1,000,000
1930 DUESENBERG J BERLINE22612001 Kruse Auction Santa Clara, CA   
1930 DUESENBERG J 254 TOWN CABRIOLET 2001 Kruse Auction Tulsa, OK$750,000  
1930 DUESENBERG J BERLINE22612001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona$370,000  

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1930 Duesenberg Model J

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