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Figoni built three bodies for the Duesenberg chassis. This car, with chassis number 2509 and engine number J-465, is a true speedster without side windows. It is one of the few Duesenbergs to receive a steel body, rather than one created from aluminum.
This Duesenberg was shipped without coachwork to European distributor E. Z. Sadovich's Motors Deluxe of Paris, and their famed coachbuilder Joseph Figoni fitted it with a unique Sports Torpedo complete with a hood extended back to a low vee'd windshield and a tapered tail. It wore a two-tone blue paint scheme, was devoid of a rear bumper or running boards, and had French lights. Sadovich drove the car in the 1932 Paris-Nice Rallye before delivery to its first owner, Peruvian sugar heir and prolific Duesenberg customer Antonio Chopitea, who exhibited it at a concourse at Cannes, winning the 'Grand Prix'. The following year this Model J moved Stateside; in the 1960s its original coachwork was removed and ultimately mounted to another Model J chassis. The new coachwork was different than the original Figoni Speedster design, as was the red and black paint scheme. It was given a replica supercharger and bumpers. During the early 1980s, the Duesenberg was given a restoration, but many of the alternations made during the 1960s were retained.
In 2007, the Duesenberg was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as an 'exhibit only' display. Since that time, it has been reunited with its original coachwork and a restoration has brought it back to its original configuration and color scheme. The result of this effort was rewarded in 2022 with Best of Show honors at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
This Duesenberg was shipped without coachwork to European distributor E. Z. Sadovich's Motors Deluxe of Paris, and their famed coachbuilder Joseph Figoni fitted it with a unique Sports Torpedo complete with a hood extended back to a low vee'd windshield and a tapered tail. It wore a two-tone blue paint scheme, was devoid of a rear bumper or running boards, and had French lights. Sadovich drove the car in the 1932 Paris-Nice Rallye before delivery to its first owner, Peruvian sugar heir and prolific Duesenberg customer Antonio Chopitea, who exhibited it at a concourse at Cannes, winning the 'Grand Prix'. The following year this Model J moved Stateside; in the 1960s its original coachwork was removed and ultimately mounted to another Model J chassis. The new coachwork was different than the original Figoni Speedster design, as was the red and black paint scheme. It was given a replica supercharger and bumpers. During the early 1980s, the Duesenberg was given a restoration, but many of the alternations made during the 1960s were retained.
In 2007, the Duesenberg was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as an 'exhibit only' display. Since that time, it has been reunited with its original coachwork and a restoration has brought it back to its original configuration and color scheme. The result of this effort was rewarded in 2022 with Best of Show honors at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
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 Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for USD$1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
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 Roadster 'Green Hornet' Chassis#: 2410 Sold for USD$1,650,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby Chassis#: 2438 Sold for USD$451,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
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 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 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 Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2350 Sold for USD$462,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2440 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2013 RM Auctions - Arizona | |
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 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 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 |
Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Carrosserie Franay | 2465 | 2024 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 Tourster | J206 | 2006 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 PHAETON | 2319 | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $410,000 |
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1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
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1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.10.002899 Sold for $1,043,753 2021 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz, Switzerland |
1931 Duesenberg Model J
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