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1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Navigation
Widely known as 'Twenty Grand', reflecting its 1932 selling price (in a time when many new cars were selling for less than $300), this supercharged Duesenberg with chassis number 2539 and engine J-513, was designed by Gordon Buehrig and built under Rollston's Rudy Creteur as a show car for the Chicago Century of Progress Exposition of 1933-1934 (better known as the Chicago World's Fair). This graceful one-off closed-coupled design is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful Duesenbergs built. The design displays touches of Buerig's earlier Beverly berline body style as well as influences from Hibbard and Darrin while the rear of the body is similar to the Rollston-built Torpedo Phaeton.
After the car's 1933 debut in Chicago, it failed to sell, so it was repainted in black and displayed at the second Chicago Exposition in 1934. It was subsequently sold to one of Duesenberg's best customers, Shreve M. Archer of the Archer-Daniels-Midland food processing company of Minneapolis. It would have several more owners before entering the care of its current owners.
The current owners acquired this Duesenberg in 1978 or 1979. Before undertaking a restoration, Mr. Buehring and former Duesenberg president Harold Ames were both consulted to ensure an accurate restoration. The car emerged from the shop at San Sylmar exactly as it appeared the day it left the factory for the World's Fair. Since that time, this wheeled sculpture has resided in the Grand Salon of the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, California.
In 1980 it was named Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In the late eighties, the car was selected to be exhibited in Essen, Germany, as one of the 'The Ten Most Beautiful Cars in the World.'
The exterior of the car is finished in platinum metallic paint with a matching leather roof and gray cloth interior.
After the car's 1933 debut in Chicago, it failed to sell, so it was repainted in black and displayed at the second Chicago Exposition in 1934. It was subsequently sold to one of Duesenberg's best customers, Shreve M. Archer of the Archer-Daniels-Midland food processing company of Minneapolis. It would have several more owners before entering the care of its current owners.
The current owners acquired this Duesenberg in 1978 or 1979. Before undertaking a restoration, Mr. Buehring and former Duesenberg president Harold Ames were both consulted to ensure an accurate restoration. The car emerged from the shop at San Sylmar exactly as it appeared the day it left the factory for the World's Fair. Since that time, this wheeled sculpture has resided in the Grand Salon of the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, California.
In 1980 it was named Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In the late eighties, the car was selected to be exhibited in Essen, Germany, as one of the 'The Ten Most Beautiful Cars in the World.'
The exterior of the car is finished in platinum metallic paint with a matching leather roof and gray cloth interior.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model SJ
(Data based on Model Year 1933 sales)
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Sweep Panel Phaeton by LaGrande Chassis#: 2540 Sold for USD$2,300,000 2017 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | ![]() ![]() |
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ 'Riviera' Phaeton by Brunn Chassis#: 2577 Sold for USD$1,595,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Beverly by the Walter M. Murphy Company Chassis#: 2538 Sold for USD$1,760,000 2013 RM Auction - Art of the Automobile | |
1933 Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton Chassis#: 2551 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1933 Duesenberg SJ LWB Convertible Berline Sold for USD$671,000 2010 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | ![]() ![]() |
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Sold for USD$1,688,500 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey by RM Auctions | ![]() ![]() |
1933 Duesenburg Model SJ Riviera Phaeton Chassis#: 2551 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2005 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
Duesenberg Model SJs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
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1933 Duesenberg Model SJ
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