Town Cabriolet
Coachwork: Bohman & Schwartz
Chassis #: 2582
Engine #: SJ553
Sold for $3,630,000 at 2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection.
In the post Depression era, only the best and most skilled craftsman were given the opportunity to pen a design for the elegant Duesenberg J and SJ. Bohman & Schwartz was able to weather the terrible times of the Great Depression due to their creativity, outstanding designs, exceptional salesmanship, and superb craftsmanship. Maurice Schwartz learned the art of coachbuilding in Vienna at Armbruster. Armbruster was the carriage-maker to the Viennese royal family. By the early 1920s, he had emigrated to America and joined the Murphy body Company. Swedish born Christian Bohman emigrated to America and found work at firms such as Holbrook and Brewster. In 1921 he moved to Pasadena, California and found a job at Murphy, Inc.
When the Murphy Company failed in 1932, Bohman and Schwartz purchased most of their former employee's equipment. They found work doing repairs and minor updates, and later working with prior clientele of the Murphy Corporation. Individuals such as Clark Gable, Barbara Hutton, Jeanette MacDonald, Bill Robinson, and Philip K. Wrigley were among the list who were seeking custom coachwork in the style of Murphy bodied cars. In total, Bohman and Schwartz were given the opportunity to body nine complete Duesenberg, five of which were rebodies and the other four were original designs.
This car was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it was one of the highlights of the event. It had one of the highest sales figures of the evening, selling for $4,400,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
Town Cabriolet
Coachwork: Bohman & Schwartz
Chassis #: 2582
Engine #: SJ553
Sold for $3,630,000 at 2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection.
This 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Car was custom designed and built for Mae West. Mae changed her mind and selected another car which left this Bohman & Schwartz bodied car available. It was ultimately purchased by Mrs. Ethel Mars. Mrs. Mars was the second wife of Franklin Mars of Mars Candy
Company fame.When Franklin passed in 1934, Ethel was left in charge. This made her the nighest paid business woman in America. Her position allowed her to purchase the car which Time magazine described as the 'costliest car in the United States.'The current owners purchased the car in 2015. It was shipped to Chicago and restored to its original color, Chinchilla Gray.
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ
Duesenberg
2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection
Sale Price :
USD $3,630,000
2007 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,300,000-USD $3,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $4,400,000
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model SJ
(Data based on Model Year 1935 sales)
1935 Duesenberg II Model SJ Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 1ETTW12B5NDJ00301 Sold for USD$187,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton in the style of LaGrande Chassis#: 2592 Sold for USD$852,500 2015 RM Sotheby's : Motor City Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Car by Bohman & Schwartz Chassis#: 2582 Sold for USD$3,630,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : The Andrews Collection | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton by LaGrande Chassis#: 2552 Sold for USD$1,265,000 2014 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton Chassis#: 2592 Sold for USD$858,000 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe by Walker-LaGrande Chassis#: 2405 Sold for USD$4,510,000 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster Chassis#: 2596 Sold for USD$3,300,000 2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Chassis#: 2406 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Bohman and Schwartz Sold for USD$4,400,000 2007 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: J582 Sold for USD$1,650,000 2005 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall | ![]() ![]() |
Duesenberg Model SJs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1935 DUESENBERG SJ DUAL COWL PHAETON | 2592 | 2015 BarrettJackson Scottsdale |
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1935 Duesenberg Model SJ
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