1922 Duesenberg Model A Rumble Seat Coupe

This Model A marks an incredibly important era for Duesenberg production cars. With the race-bred straight-8 engine, 4-wheel hydraulic brakes, and the extensive use of weight-saving cast aluminum components, it was certainly ahead of its time.

The fully custom body was built by Fleetwood Coachbuilders, among the most prestigious of the time. It is the only example of this body style known to exist and one of just sixty Model A Duesenbergs built.

The original owner of this car was Dr. C.E. Beals, a Pennsylvania physician who is credited for the enduring moniker of 'Doctors Coupe.' It would also spend time in the Harrah's Automobile Collection. It has been faithfully restored to its original as delivered glory, from the bygone era when house calls by the family physician were commonplace.

Fred and August Duesenberg were born in Germany and immigrated to America where they began designing and building automobiles. They formed the Duesenberg Automobiles and Motors Company in New Jersey and specialized in designing and building one-off and limited-production automobiles as well as mechanical components that were purchased by other automobile manufacturers. The company moved from New Jersey to Indianapolis, Indiana where they built their first production vehicle in 1921.

The new Duesenberg was called the Model A. It featured an inline, eight-cylinder engine with an overhead camshaft and was the first American production car to be sold with hydraulic brakes. Duesenberg used racing to promote its passenger car sales and in 1921, a Duesenberg race car driven by Jimmy Murphy became the first American car to win the French Grand Prix. In 1923, a Duesenberg Model A was used as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. Duesenberg racecars won the Indianapolis 500 races in 1924, 1925, and 1927.

In 1914, Eddie Rickenbacker drove a Duesenberg to finish 10th place in the Indianapolis 500; and in 1924, 1925, and 1927 a Duesenberg finished in first place. 1923 saw a Duesenberg as the Indianapolis Pace Car. The A Model Duesenberg was introduced in 1921 and features a powerful 260 cubic-inch overhead cam Straight 8 that develops 87 horsepower and is capable of 85 mph. It was the first car to have hydraulic brakes. This Duesenberg A Model has Rumble-Seat Coupe custom coachwork by Fleetwood Metal Body Company of Fleetwood, PA (later to become a part of General Motors). This car is totally unrestored and is considered the best condition A Model Duesenberg to survive. The base price was $6,500 plus!

The Model A was lighter but more powerful than its competitors and the fastest car of its time. It won the Indianapolis 500 three out of four years it was entered and was owned by many celebrities including Rudolph Valentino. Only 650 Model A's were built over the entire six-year model run.

This 1922 Duesenberg has a rare coupe body built by the coachbuilder Fleetwood. Prior to becoming part of General Motors in the late 1920s, Fleetwood built bodies for many of the upscale American automobile manufacturers. This is the only Duesenberg known to exist with a Fleetwood coupe body and today remains in original condition throughout. It is one of about 60 extant Model A Duesenbergs.

It was, originally, a literal doctor's coupe, as it was owned by a Pennsylvania physician, Dr. C.E. Beals. The car later passed to a relative, Fred McGarvey, in 1931. McGarvey would become one of the longest-term owners of any Duesenberg, possessing the Model A until his passing in 1975. During his 44 years of ownership, he maintained the car in essentially original and perfect mechanical condition. He regularly drove it to East Coast meets of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club and to other events.

The car was acquired from the McGarvey Estate in 1975 by the Harrah Automobile Collection, which performed a minor cosmetic restoration. It was displayed at Harrah's for 11 years, during which time it received its ACD Club Category One Certification and appeared in Fred Roe's Duesenberg: The Pursuit of Perfection. Following time as part of collections in Pennsylvania and Germany, it was acquired by Jim Kaufmann, of Georgia. Kaufmann passed the car to a friend, who freshened the car slightly and continued to regularly display and enjoy the car in its original condition.

The car was later acquired by the current owners who treated the car to a quality restoration. The car was re-finished in the original colors of dark green with black fenders. Much of the nickel trim was re-plated, and the interior, which had previously been restored in correct green leather, was freshened as necessary, including a restored dashboard.