1931 Duesenberg Model J Sport Convertible Sedan

Pennsylvania coachbuilder Derham mounted five Duesenbergs with this handsome vee-windshield Convertible Sedan design. This particular car was one of no fewer than five Model Js originally delivered to malted milk heiress Maybelle Horlick Sidley of Racine, Wisconsin, a woman to whom the soda fountain craze had been very good over the years. Following her passing in 1938, the car was sold from her estate and driven across the country to a gentleman in Washington State, and it has remained in western ownership ever since. Most prominently it was long possessed by noted Duesenberg aficionado Charlie Norris of Oregon, then for 44 years by the late Clifford Stranburg, who loved the car and carefully undertook a full restoration. The current owners acquired the car from Mr. Stranburg, fulfilling a longtime dream of Model J ownership.

This Duesenberg Model J SWB Sport Convertible Sedan has coachwork by the Derham Body Company. The Derham Company has a history that dates back to 1887 when they built carriage bodies for many of the wealthy residents of Philadelphia, PA. With the invention of the automobile, many of Derham's elite clientele look to them to provide the same luxurious bodies for their new motorcars. Their client list included Pope Pius XII, King Farouk, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, film star Clark Gable, industrial designer Raymond Loewy, and many other prominent figures. Derham-bodied limousines were also used in some 15 coronation ceremonies around the world.

The Derham Company weathered the Great Depression years and World War II, remaining in business until 1971.

Nearly 40 bodies were built by Derham for the Duesenberg J and SJ chassis, most were formal town cars and limousines. This particular example is one of the few open cars built by Derham on the Duesenberg chassis. It is a Sport Convertible Sedan resting on the short-wheelbase Duesenberg Model J chassis. It is one of five Derham Sport Convertible Sedans manufactured, and one of two with the 'V' windshield. The other four Derham Sport Convertible Sedans were J-488, J-505, J-170 (engine only remains), and J-469 (scrapped).

The Horlick family owned three different Model Js in period, including this example. Maybelle Horlick of Racine, Wisconsin purchased this example and owned it until her death in 1938. It was then purchased on April 3rd of 1940 by noted Duesenberg re-seller, John Troka of Chicago. Mr. Troka sold it to Mr. L.E. Adams of Olympia, WA on August 1st of 1940. Mr. Miles Rorvig owned it for a brief period before selling it in 1952 to Mr. Gerald Stroheker, also located in the Pacific Northwest. After Mr. Strohecker's death, the car was willed to Mr. Charlie Norris of Portland, Oregon. It later sold the car and it was described as 'in need of a total restoration.' The current owner acquired the car from Mr. Norris and has remained in his care for the past 45 years. A restoration was performed during the mid-1980s. It was then shown at several meets, including the annual Auburn, Indiana Labor Day ACD Club Festival, and several Pacific Northwest classic events during his tenure. The car has also been displayed at The LeMan - America's Car Museum for approximately two years.