1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Sweep Panel Dual-Cowl Phaeton

This 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ is a short-wheelbase chassis and one of 15 Model Js to receive the 'sweep panel' dual-cowl phaeton by LaGrande. Of these, it is one of four known to have been given a supercharger. Its list of owners is believed to have included Governor George Earle III of Pennsylvania, Ralph De Palma, and Quentin Kraft of Long Island. Kraft sold the Duesenberg to R.J. Woods of New York, who commissioned mechanic Marion Roberts to restyle it lightly, with a lowered windshield and sculpted front fenders, with rounded 'notches' cut into their inner edges.

In 1947, Woods sold the Duesenberg, and it passed through a number of short-term owners in the Empire State. It made its way to Chicago during the early 1950s when it was acquired by George Lamberson. During his ownership, engines were exchanged between two cars that he owned, leaving J-523 with its original bell housing but an unnumbered crank.

In 1961, the Duesenberg entered the care of Homer Fitterling of South Bend, Indiana. In his ownership, J-523 had the side panels of its hood removed to accommodate easy access to the engine. It left his collection in 1974 when he traded it to L.K. Newell for one of Newell's namesake custom-built motor coaches. Newell then had the car restored in its present two-tone red livery, with the fenders reshaped using new metal to the correct original design. Additional work included having the engine rebuilt with new connecting rods.

The Duesenberg was later traded through Leo Gephart to Jim Southard of Georgia, who dealt it to Richard Slobodien of New Jersey later in 1975. In 1978, it was sold to James N. Landrum of Dallas, Texas. After several decades, the car left the Landrum collection in 2014 and was acquired by the current owner. Since then, the car has been given cosmetic and mechanical sorting by Brian Joseph's Classic & Exotic Service of Troy, Michigan.

It is believed that during the 1940s, the original supercharger was removed. It has since been given a newly manufactured and properly fitted reproduction supercharger, to the original design, with a correct single Stromberg UU-3 carburetor.

Additional work includes:
- a carburetor rebuild
- the springs were removed, properly straightened, and reinstalled for the correct ride height
- the axles and brakes rebuilt
- the windshield and top were rebuilt to the original design and height
- proper cowl lights were fitted
- correct wiper motors built and installed
- the body was refinished
- the interior retrimmed entirely down to the carpets
- and the top and windshield were rebuilt to the original designs.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023