Imperial Cabriolet
Coachwork: Hibbard and Darrin
Chassis #: 2275
Engine #: J-254
This Duesenberg Model J was bodied by the Parisian coachbuilders Hibbard & Darrin as an Imperial Cabriolet. It was built using their patented all-aluminum Silentlyte construction method. The car was on display at the 1930 Paris Auto Salon when it was viewed by William Randolph Hearst, the legendary newspaper baron and one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world at the time. He bought it for Marion Davies and sent to Los Angeles. When it arrived in California, Hearst and Davies went for a chauffeured test drive. While on a drive, perhaps at a spirited pace, the car went around a corner and the body flexed and a rear door sprang open. Over Hearst was nearly dumped out of the car, it was sent to coachbuilder J. Gerald Kirchhoff shop, where the doors were rebuilt and their latches strengthened. At the same time, the body was modified slightly to suit its new owner's tastes, with the top and center door posts fixed into place, a removable 'flap' installed in the rear quarters (to improve passenger vision), and an enormous trunk added for travel.Hearst and Davies used the car often, taking it with them all over the world, on journeys to Europe and Africa, in the holds of ocean liners and in railroad boxcars.
The car's first known owner following Hearst and Davies was a sailor who drive it back and forth across the country, before selling it in 1949 to W.D. Lehman of San Diego. A year later, it was sold to Robert E. Diller of San Francisco, who in 1954 passed it for $500 to Ray Wolff (the Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) Club's longtime Duesenberg historian).
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2018
1930 Duesenberg Model J
Duesenberg
2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,400,000
Sale Price :
USD $995,000
1930 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J
(Data based on Model Year 1930 sales)
1930 Duesenberg Model J Willoughby Limousine Sold for USD$1,000,000 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by LeBaron Chassis#: 2380 Sold for USD$1,061,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria Chassis#: 2474 Sold for USD$1,066,500 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Berline Sold for USD$527,500 2021 Worldwide Auctioneers : The 14th Annual Auburn Auction | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Berline Chassis#: J350 Sold for USD$605,000 2020 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale Arizona Auction | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron Chassis#: 2336 Sold for USD$1,650,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 2276 Sold for USD$935,000 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton Chassis#: 2407 Sold for USD$770,000 2018 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Imperial Cabriolet by Hibbard & Darrin Chassis#: 2275 Sold for USD$995,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() |
1930 DUESENBERG J DUAL-COWL PHAETON Chassis#: J237 Sold for USD$880,000 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron Chassis#: 2336 Sold for USD$1,155,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 2347 Sold for USD$1,540,000 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 2276 Sold for USD$950,000 2013 Mecum Auctions - Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 2276 Sold for USD$698,500 2013 Bonhams - Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine ACD Certified Category 1 Original Chassis#: J2402 Sold for USD$370,000 2012 Mecum - Anaheim, CA | |
1930 Duesenberg Boattail Speedster Sold for USD$484,000 2012 Auctions America - Auburn Spring | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2228 Sold for USD$990,000 2012 RM - Milhous Collection, Fla | |
1930 DUESENBERG J Chassis#: 2401 Sold for USD$1,045,000 2012 Barrett-Jackson at Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J LWB Dual Cowl Phaeton Chassis#: 2336 Sold for USD$880,000 2012 RM-Automobiles of Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton Chassis#: J237 Sold for USD$363,000 2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island |
Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby | 2402 | 2022 RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction | $750,000 | $950,000 | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2018 Mecum : Monterey | $900,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2016 Mecum : Monterey | $800,000 | ||
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible Formerly Owned by Tyrone Power | 2315 | 2014 Mecum Kissimmee | $1,400,000 | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Upgraded Coachwork by Fran Roxas of Chicago | 2276 | 2014 Mecum Kissimmee | $1,100,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,500,000 |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine Coachwork by Willoughby | J2402 | 2012 Mecum Monterey, CA | $350,000 | ||
1930 Duesenberg Model J Limousine | 2402 | 2012 Mecum Auctions Kissimmee Florida | $350,000 | ||
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2011 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton | 2276 | 2010 Bonhams Greenwich Concours d'EleganceCollectors' Motorcars | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1930 DUESENBERG J BERLINE | 2261 | 2001 Kruse Auction Santa Clara, CA | |||
1930 DUESENBERG J 254 TOWN CABRIOLET | 2001 Kruse Auction Tulsa, OK | $750,000 | |||
1930 DUESENBERG J BERLINE | 2261 | 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona | $370,000 |
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1930 Duesenberg Model J
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