1931 Duesenberg Model J Chassis 2486, engine J-475

1931 Duesenberg Model J Sport Convertible Sedan / 2486 Vehicle Information

Sport Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Derham
Chassis #: 2486
Engine #: J-475

Sold for $1,320,000 at 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction.
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 weather 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 under 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

(Data based on Model Year 1931 sales)

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
1931 Duesenberg Model J Conv. Victoria Chassis#: 2126 Sold for USD$475,000 2004 Vintage Motor Cars and Boats at the Houston Classic
1931 DUESENBERG J LE BARON CONVERTIBLE SEDAN Sold for USD$423,500 2001 Barrett-Jackson - Petersen Museum 2001

Vehicles That Failed To Sell

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		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

Comparables

Similar sales to the $842,397 range.

2009 RUF CTR3 Chassis#:W09BM03879PR06002 Sold for $850,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, Fall
1992 Porsche 911 Turbo S Lightweight Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS479039 Sold for $841,792 2020 RM Sothebys : London Online
2017 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9CW1HH200087 Sold for $836,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Driving Into Summer
2019 McLaren Senna Chassis#:SBM15ACA6KW800146 Sold for $847,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500594 Sold for $839,042 2020 RM Sothebys : Paris
2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Chassis#:SCFLMCPZ0JGJ33942 Sold for $841,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon Chassis#:DB5/1614/R Sold for $836,713 2018 Bonhams : The Aston Martin Sale
1995 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZSS338509 Sold for $835,164 2018 RM Sothebys : Paris
1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale Chassis#:AM101 971 Sold for $850,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
2004 Ford GT Prototype PB2-1 Chassis#:PB2-1 Sold for $836,000 2016 Russo & Steele : Monterey
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B Chassis#:130903 Sold for $836,000 2016 Worldwide Auctions - The Houston Classic
1934 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type Low-chassis Tourer Chassis#:S165 Sold for $847,242 2015 Bonhams : Bond Street Motor Car Sale
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti Chassis#:16951 Sold for $847,000 2015 RM Sotheby's NY Auction : Driven By Distruption
1963 AC Shelby Cobra Mk II 289 Chassis#:CSX2023 Sold for $850,000 2015 Rick Cole Monterey
1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon Chassis#:DB5/1775/R Sold for $842,074 2015 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
1932 Lincoln KB Custom Stationary Coupe Chassis#:KB 816 Sold for $836,000 2015 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island
1948 Talbot Lago T26 Record Cabriolet par Saoutchik Chassis#:100272 Sold for $848,600 2015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars
1904 Panhard-Levassor Four-Cylinder 35hp Sports Two-Seater Sold for $834,958 2015 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2567 Sold for $847,000 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours
1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Spider Chassis#:0312901 Sold for $836,000 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours