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1931 Duesenberg Model J Tapertail Speedster

Gordon Buehrig referred to his design for this Duesenberg with chassis number 2450 and engine J-437, as a tapertail speedster. This sleek design is accomplished without running boards or step plates. The addition of the sweep panel styling on the short-wheelbase chassis adds to the car's sporty appearance.

One of America's premier designers, Gordon Buehrig penned two Speedster designs for the Weymann Body Company. The first was for the short-wheelbase chassis and was known as the 'Tapertail' Speedster, and the second was for a supercharged long-wheelbase chassis, dubbed the 'Fishtail' Speedster. This Tapertail was Buehrig's favorite as the Speedster shape looked more at home on the shorter chassis. The lack of running boards and the sweep panel paint scheme add further elegance to Buehrig's design. The Duesenberg J is a true speedster lacking exterior door handles and roll-up windows. Other design elements unusual for the time include the single-passenger rumble seat as well as elegant pontoon fenders. The car also features a sleek canvas top that can be either folded back in place or removed completely.

No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.

1931 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J

(Data based on Model Year 1931 sales)
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2440
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron
Sold for USD$1,050,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Sedan
Chassis#: 2187
Sold for USD$857,500
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2464
Sold for USD$3,415,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster 'Green Hornet'
Chassis#: 2410
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby
Chassis#: 2438
Sold for USD$451,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Custom Berline
Chassis#: 2371
Sold for USD$506,000
  2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, Arizona
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J SWB Sport Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2486
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg II Dual Cowl Phaeton
Sold for USD$134,750
  2016 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2468
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Phaeton in the Style of Tourster
Sold for USD$265,000
  2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2456
Sold for USD$825,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2350
Sold for USD$462,000
  2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#: 2440
Sold for USD$1,320,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Arizona
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Dual Windshield ‘Barrelside' Phaeton by LeBaron
Chassis#: 2318
Sold for USD$1,292,500
  2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Limousine
Chassis#: 2438
Sold for USD$330,000
  2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2363
Sold for USD$693,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Chassis#: J444
Sold for USD$1,485,000
  2007 RM Auctions - The McMullen Collection
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster
Sold for USD$378,000
  2007 The Florida Collector Car Auction
 
1931 Duesenberg Model J Special Phaeton
Chassis#: 2189
Sold for USD$2,640,000
  2006 The Otis Chandler Collection Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J image  1931 Duesenberg Model J image  

Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction

1931 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Carrosserie Franay24652024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction   
1931 Duesenberg Model J 2009 Automobiles of Arizona$600,000$900,000$1,200,000
1931 Duesenberg Model J 2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company   
1931 Duesenberg Model J ToursterJ2062006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook$430,000$350,000$500,000
1931 Duesenberg J104 Convertible Victoria 2004 The Florida Collector Car Auction$425,000  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Conv. Victoria 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island$450,000  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Sedan 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island$280,000  
1931 DUESENBERG TORPEDO PHAETON23192001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN$410,000  

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1931 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  1931 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  
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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
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Chassis#:198.042.8500277
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Sold for $1,050,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1931 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  1931 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Sold for $1,045,000
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1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Drophead Coupe by Lancefield
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1931 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  1931 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  
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1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Lightweight
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Sold for $1,050,000
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1931 Duesenberg Model J vehicle thumbnail image  
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Chassis#:198.042.8500137
Sold for $1,035,821
2022 RM Sothebys : Paris

1931 Duesenberg Model J

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