1934 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton

LaGrande was Duesenberg's in-house coachbuilder. The Phaeton was styled by Duesenberg's favorite designer, Gordon Buehrig. This particular Duesenberg has a recreated body in the style of the popular LeBaron Dual-Cowl Phaeton. It is equipped with a 420 cubic-inch straight eight with 265 horsepower. It weighs around 5,500 pounds and would have cost $14,750 when new. The chassis of this car was originally fitted with engine SJ-573. In 1942, aerospace company Pratt and Whitney was testing superchargers for military aircraft engines and obtained 4 Duesenberg engines. SJ-573 became a casualty when cold water was added to the engine and resulted in a broken block. This Duesenberg was donated to the ACD Museum by Guy E. Beatty, Jr.

The Duesenberg Model J was intended to compete with the luxurious and powerful automobiles of the time. E.L. Cord bought the Duesenberg Motor Corporation in 1926 and told Fred Duesenberg to design a car that would be the fastest and best car in the world. At this time, Fred's brother Augie was responsible for a number of the engineering achievements of the automobile. Sadly, production ceased in 1937 after Cord's financial empire collapsed.