1933 Duesenberg Model SJ LWB Phaeton

This Duesenberg was built from the factory with a supercharger, hence the nomenclature 'SJ' and the augmented horsepower, from the standard (and already mighty) 265 horsepower to an astonishing 320. This Model J was built on the long 153.5-inch wheelbase, and is graced with the LaGrande Phaeton body, with elongated arcing panels and quadruple exhaust pipes. Known as the 'Mexico City Car' in Duesenberg circles, this SJ sat under a carport in plain view in Mexico City for many years, apparently not for sale. Once owned by General William Lyon, this Duesenberg joined its current owner in 2017.

This 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Phaeton with coachwork by La Grande has chassis number 2540 and engine number J510. It possesses the sought-after eight-cylinder supercharged engine which promises 320 horsepower. In July of 1933, it was tested by the Duesenberg test driver, Mr. Lange, before being acquired by Mr. Ben E. Smith, Sr. of the brokers Hutton & Company in New York. It is one of only three supercharged phaetons built by La Grande and each rested comfortably on the longer wheelbase, measuring 153.5 inches. In total, there were fourteen La Grande Phaetons built, including the short wheelbase and non-supercharged cars. In modern times, only eight are known to exist. Only 18 long-wheelbase supercharged cars of all body styles and from all coachbuilders were produced.

This is the second of the three LWB cars built. It is a five-passenger phaeton with an accessory rear windscreen.

By 1944, the car was taken by Mr. Smith's son, Ben E. Smith, Jr., to Mexico where it was given to Bruno Paglie, the manager of the Hipodromo built by Smith in Mexico City. In 1950, the car was acquired by a used car dealer named Valentine G. Melgarejo. It remained in his possession for the following 18 years. William J. Metta of Alabama became the vehicle's next caretaker, who is believed to have partially restored the car.

The next owner was a dealer based in Wisconsin, named James Southard, in 1975. It was quickly sold to Thomas S. Gene Storms who purchased a Leo Gephardt reproduction supercharged in 1979. The car would remain in California until it was brought to auction in 2008. The current owner acquired the car in the mid-1980s.

The car is painted dark red with a cream sweep panel and reveal. There is a tan Haartz cloth top and tan leather interior. It is believed that the car has been driven 31,400 miles to date. It is well equipped with dual driving lights, cowl lights, a rear-mounted trunk, dual side-mounted spare wheels, and tires with hard covers and side-view mirrors.

In 2008 this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $1,800,000 - $2,400,000. It was the highlight of the auction and the most anticipated sale of the evening. Bidding reached 1,425,000 but stalled. The car was rolled off the stage and listed as a no-sale. Later that evening, the car was sold for $1,688,500 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008