Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
The Model J was produced in Indianapolis from 1929 until 1937 with a 420 cubic-inch DOHC engine producing 265 horsepower in stock form and 320 horsepower in supercharged form. Each of the chassis sold received custom coachwork built to the whims of the owner. Prices ranged from $13,500 to $25,000. Five torpedo Phaetons were built to Gordon Buehrig's design. The first body was produced by Brunn and two subsequent bodies were built by Weymann.
This car is one of the last two Torpedo Phaetons, which were built by the A.J. Walker Company to the Gordon Buehrig design specifications. The Phaeton Convertible was a result of an ingenious body design that allowed the rear body, behind the rear seat, to open as a spacious compartment into which the top could be lowered completely. Both front and rear doors have roll-up windows. Combined with low windshields and the short-coupled body on the longer wheelbase chassis, the Torpedo Phaetons are among the sportiest four passenger bodies ever mounted on the Model J chassis.
It was originally delivered new to E.L. King of Winona, Wisconsin as J-558 on chassis for $2558. Mr. King was apparently not satisfied with the car and Duesenberg agreed to replace the complete chassis and engine. The original body was installed on chassis #2608 with engine J-582.
During the car's early history, it was in the ownership of several caretakers, until it crashed in the 1940s. Many of its parts were cannibalized. In the early 1960s, plans emerged to resurrect the vehicle. Over the course of a decade, many parts were sourced, and work began in 1973. The damaged chassis was discarded and chassis 2470 was then used to fit the LaGrande body. The project proved too much, and the Duesenberg and parts were sold to a new owner who later finished the work in 1987. The completed car made its debut at the CCCA Grand Classic where it scored a perfect 100 points.
In 2005, the car was offered at RM Auctions' annual Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook hall where it was sold to a new owner.
A complete restoration returning this classic to its original glory was completed in 2017.
This car is one of the last two Torpedo Phaetons, which were built by the A.J. Walker Company to the Gordon Buehrig design specifications. The Phaeton Convertible was a result of an ingenious body design that allowed the rear body, behind the rear seat, to open as a spacious compartment into which the top could be lowered completely. Both front and rear doors have roll-up windows. Combined with low windshields and the short-coupled body on the longer wheelbase chassis, the Torpedo Phaetons are among the sportiest four passenger bodies ever mounted on the Model J chassis.
It was originally delivered new to E.L. King of Winona, Wisconsin as J-558 on chassis for $2558. Mr. King was apparently not satisfied with the car and Duesenberg agreed to replace the complete chassis and engine. The original body was installed on chassis #2608 with engine J-582.
During the car's early history, it was in the ownership of several caretakers, until it crashed in the 1940s. Many of its parts were cannibalized. In the early 1960s, plans emerged to resurrect the vehicle. Over the course of a decade, many parts were sourced, and work began in 1973. The damaged chassis was discarded and chassis 2470 was then used to fit the LaGrande body. The project proved too much, and the Duesenberg and parts were sold to a new owner who later finished the work in 1987. The completed car made its debut at the CCCA Grand Classic where it scored a perfect 100 points.
In 2005, the car was offered at RM Auctions' annual Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook hall where it was sold to a new owner.
A complete restoration returning this classic to its original glory was completed in 2017.
2005 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall
Sale Price :
USD $1,650,000
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model SJ
(Data based on Model Year 1935 sales)
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LaGrande Chassis#: 2552 Sold for USD$3,030,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1935 Duesenberg II Model SJ Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 1ETTW12B5NDJ00301 Sold for USD$187,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton in the style of LaGrande Chassis#: 2592 Sold for USD$852,500 2015 RM Sotheby's : Motor City Auction | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Car by Bohman & Schwartz Chassis#: 2582 Sold for USD$3,630,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton by LaGrande Chassis#: 2552 Sold for USD$1,265,000 2014 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton Chassis#: 2592 Sold for USD$858,000 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe by Walker-LaGrande Chassis#: 2405 Sold for USD$4,510,000 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster Chassis#: 2596 Sold for USD$3,300,000 2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Chassis#: 2406 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Bohman and Schwartz Sold for USD$4,400,000 2007 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: J582 Sold for USD$1,650,000 2005 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall |
Duesenberg Model SJs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1935 DUESENBERG SJ DUAL COWL PHAETON | 2592 | 2015 BarrettJackson Scottsdale |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $2,282,955 range.
2011 Ferrari SP30 Berlinetta Chassis#:ZFF70RDT7B0188026 Sold for $2,296,000 2024 Bonhams : Miami | |
1933 HISPANO-SUIZA J12 CABRIOLET Chassis#:14004 Sold for $2,315,000 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | |
2022 Hennessey Venom F5 Chassis#:HSVVNMF5CP0222003 Sold for $2,205,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6 Chassis#:906-127 Sold for $2,205,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500510 Sold for $2,260,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.10.003135 Sold for $2,260,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis#:408371 Sold for $2,205,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C ATALANTE Chassis#:57767 Sold for $2,260,000 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | |
1965 ASTON MARTIN DB5 CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:DB5C/1903/L Sold for $2,205,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1968 LAMBORGHINI MIURA P400 Chassis#:3378 Sold for $2,260,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia Chassis#:106.000043 Sold for $2,260,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2020 McLaren Speedtail Chassis#:SBM23GDGXLW403072 Sold for $2,315,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1989 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000080763 Sold for $2,287,799 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
1970 Plymouth Cuda 440 Rapid Transit Show Car Chassis#:bs23v0e100005 Sold for $2,200,000 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1936 Lancia Astura Series III Cabriolet 'Tipo Bocca' by Pinin Farina Chassis#:33-3277 Sold for $2,205,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1931 DUESENBERG MODEL J CONVERTIBLE SEDAN Chassis#:2153 Sold for $2,205,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé 'Chambas' Chassis#:110105 Sold for $2,385,365 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1988 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000077676 Sold for $2,385,365 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II by Pininfarina Chassis#:8565 SF Sold for $2,225,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti Chassis#:16835 Sold for $2,205,000 2022 RM Sothebys : The Youngtimer Collection - Miami |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Duesenberg Model SJ model years
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Vehicle Profiles
Sweep Panel Dual-Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork: LaGrandeDesigner: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2552
Engine #: J-523