Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Cabriolet

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 highest-paid businesswoman in America. Her position allowed her to purchase the car that 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.
In the post-Depression era, only the best and most skilled craftsmen 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 rebodied and the other four were original designs.

This Town Car with chassis number SJ553 is one of the original designs, and one of the most outrageous and beautiful ever developed. It was designed by Herb Newport for screen star Mae West, however, she never took delivery of the car. Some believe she did not want to wait, others think it was the money, but Mae West later chose a Bohman & Schwartz Duesenberg with chassis number J370 in a Convertible Coupe configuration.

When SJ553 was complete it was purchased by Ethel Mars on April 14th of 1935. Mars was the CEO of the Mars Candy Company and the sole heir to one of America's largest fortunes. The car was so elegant that it was featured in the November 16th, 1936 issue of Time Magazine. The car came with a sticker price exceeding $20,000.

Mrs. Mars kept the car for several years before selling it to Edward Engle Brown, the chairman of Chicago's First National Bank and Trust. it remained in his care until the late 1940s when possession changed to Harry Felz, a Chicago area Cadillac dealer who later sold it to Edward D. Jaffe and his brother Oscar for the sum of $2,500. It passed through several owners until coming into the collection of Bill Harrah in March of 1966. It remained in his collection until his death. The car was treated to its first restoration while in the care of Harrah.

The car was sold at auction in the mid-1980s for the sum of $860,000. A second comprehensive restoration was undertaken; when finished the car was painted in a fine metallic silver gray. The car remained in the owner's care until his death. It was auctioned by Sotheby's in June of 1995 where it was purchased by RM Classic Cars who later sold it to John Groendyke of Enid, Oklahoma in 1997. The current owner acquired the car in 2000.

The car is currently finished in black paint color and is reported to be in flawless condition. The driver's compartment is trimmed in black ostrich leather. The rear compartment is a deep, high-gloss burgundy with matching deep red upholstery.

It is a masterpiece that has a history that involves two famous females, Mae West and Mrs. Mars, two of the most prominent and wealthiest females of the era. It has a large wheelbase that measures 153.5 inches and a gorgeous coach-built body in one of the most sensational designs ever to be powered by a supercharged Duesenberg engine.

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 the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007

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 Model SJ 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LaGrande
Chassis#: 2552
Sold for USD$3,030,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
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 image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
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 image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
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 image  
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton
Chassis#: 2592
Sold for USD$858,000
  2013 Auctions America - Auburn Fall
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
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 image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster
Chassis#: 2596
Sold for USD$3,300,000
  2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ
Chassis#: 2406
Sold for USD$1,430,000
  2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Bohman and Schwartz
Sold for USD$4,400,000
  2007 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Torpedo Phaeton
Chassis#: J582
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2005 Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook Hall
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ image  

Duesenberg Model SJs That Failed To Sell At Auction

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1935 DUESENBERG SJ DUAL COWL PHAETON25922015 BarrettJackson Scottsdale   

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $2,282,955 range.
1956 Porsche 550 RS Spyder
Chassis#:550-0082
Sold for $2,305,609
2024 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0
Chassis#:9114609106
Sold for $2,370,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  
1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible
Chassis#:194677s109097
Sold for $2,352,000
2024 Mecum : Monterey
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra 'Snake Charmer'
Chassis#:CSX 2227
Sold for $2,287,500
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti
Chassis#:14557
Sold for $2,205,000
2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
Chassis#:3459
Sold for $2,315,000
2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
2011 Ferrari SP30 Berlinetta
Chassis#:ZFF70RDT7B0188026
Sold for $2,296,000
2024 Bonhams : Miami
1933 HISPANO-SUIZA J12 CABRIOLET
Chassis#:14004
Sold for $2,315,000
2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction
2022 Hennessey Venom F5
Chassis#:HSVVNMF5CP0222003
Sold for $2,205,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6
Chassis#:906-127
Sold for $2,205,000
2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Chassis#:198.042.7500510
Sold for $2,260,000
2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Chassis#:198.042.10.003135
Sold for $2,260,000
2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen
Chassis#:408371
Sold for $2,205,000
2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  
1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C ATALANTE
Chassis#:57767
Sold for $2,260,000
2024 Gooding : Amelia Island
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  
1968 LAMBORGHINI MIURA P400
Chassis#:3378
Sold for $2,260,000
2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  
1965 ASTON MARTIN DB5 CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#:DB5C/1903/L
Sold for $2,205,000
2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia
Chassis#:106.000043
Sold for $2,260,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle thumbnail image  
2020 McLaren Speedtail
Chassis#:SBM23GDGXLW403072
Sold for $2,315,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1989 Ferrari F40
Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000080763
Sold for $2,287,799
2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba
1970 Plymouth Cuda 440 Rapid Transit Show Car
Chassis#:bs23v0e100005
Sold for $2,200,000
2023 Mecum : Indy

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Duesenberg Model SJ model years

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Vehicle Profiles

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Torpedo Phaeton
Coachwork: Walker
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Engine #: J548
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Sweep Panel Dual-Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork: LaGrande
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2552
Engine #: J-523
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Torpedo Phaeton
Coachwork: Walker
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2608
Engine #: J582
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Convertible Victoria
Coachwork: Darrin
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2571
Engine #: J-543
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Speedster
Coachwork: Gurney Nutting
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2614
Engine #: J-585
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Convertible Coupe
Coachwork: Murphy
Chassis #: 2406
Engine #: J527
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Town Cabriolet
Coachwork: Bohman & Schwartz
Chassis #: 2582
Engine #: SJ553
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Bohman & Schwartz
Chassis #: 2596
Engine #: SJ 572
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Convertible Coupe
Coachwork: Walker
Chassis #: 2405
Engine #: J-530
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ vehicle information
Dual Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork: Union City
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2592
Engine #: J-562

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.