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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.
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
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 Hibbard & Darrin Transformable Cabriolet Chassis#: 2329 Sold for USD$1,435,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Willoughby Limousine Sold for USD$1,000,000 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by LeBaron Chassis#: 2380 Sold for USD$1,061,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria Chassis#: 2474 Sold for USD$1,066,500 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | |
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 Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 2276 Sold for USD$935,000 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
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 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 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 Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 2276 Sold for USD$698,500 2013 Bonhams - Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance | |
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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby | 2402 | 2022 RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction | $750,000 | $950,000 | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2018 Mecum : Monterey | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2016 Mecum : Monterey | $800,000 | ||
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible Formerly Owned by Tyrone Power | 2315 | 2014 Mecum Kissimmee | $1,400,000 | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Upgraded Coachwork by Fran Roxas of Chicago | 2276 | 2014 Mecum Kissimmee | $1,100,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,500,000 |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine Coachwork by Willoughby | J2402 | 2012 Mecum Monterey, CA | $350,000 | ||
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine | 2402 | 2012 Mecum Auctions Kissimmee Florida | $350,000 | ||
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2011 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2010 Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'EleganceCollectors' Motorcars | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1930 DUESENBERG J BERLINE | 2261 | 2001 Kruse Auction Santa Clara, CA | |||
1930 DUESENBERG J 254 TOWN CABRIOLET | 2001 Kruse Auction Tulsa, OK | $750,000 | |||
1930 DUESENBERG J BERLINE | 2261 | 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona | $370,000 |
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1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé by Carrosserie Jean Barou Chassis#:110107 Sold for $1,043,873 2024 RM Sothebys : The Tegernsee Auction | |
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2011 Ferrari 599 GTO Chassis#:ZFF70RCA0B0183377 Sold for $1,039,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
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1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500137 Sold for $1,035,821 2022 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
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1964 Porsche 356 C Carrera 2 Cabriolet Chassis#:160790 Sold for $1,039,000 2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction | |
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1930 Duesenberg Model J
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