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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.
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.
2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,300,000-USD $1,600,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,320,000
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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1931 Duesenberg Model J
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