1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton

LeBaron Carrossiers, Inc. built many open bodies for the Duesenberg J chassis. The basic dual-cowl LeBaron was the most prolific of all the open four-door Duesenberg J phaetons. Far more unusual was this 'barrelside' body, so-called because the body rolls inward in a pronounced fashion. The rear doors open at the 'B' pillar, and the beltline has a distinctive parallelogram molding that gives the car uncommon grace. 'Barrelsides' were built on both the long and short frame, but no more than five are believed to have been constructed. This car is powered by a 420 cubic-inch, dual-overhead-cam, inline 8-cylinder engine featuring a Schebler dual-throat, updraft carburetor, producing 265 horsepower coupled to a 3-speed manual gearbox. Other features include 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, live-axle suspension with semi-elliptical leaf springs, and double-acting hydraulic-lever shock absorbers.

The Short Wheelbase Duesenberg measured 142.5 inches while the long version was nearly 13 feet. The engine tasked with carrying these large and stately bodies was the Lycoming eight 420 cubic-inch dual overhead camshaft engine with four valves per cylinder and 265 horsepower at its disposal. Only the finest materials were used and the fit and finish were to precision standards. Upon completion, each vehicle was driven 100 miles at high speed at Indianapolis without a body to ensure correct mechanical working conditions. The chassis was then closed by the finest coachbuilders the world had to offer.

At the New York Auto Salon on December 1st of 1928, the world was introduced to the Model J Duesenberg. Duesenberg ordered enough components to build 500 examples. The first order was placed in May of 1929, barely five months before Black Tuesday.

Fred Duesenberg worked to make the car even more powerful. A centrifugal supercharger was applied to the engine which increased the horsepower rating even further. Fred died after a road accident in a Model J in 1932. Augie was then tasked with putting the final touches on the supercharger, the result was a 320-horsepower masterpiece - the 'SJ'.

This Model J has engine number J243 and chassis number 2270. Both have been together their entire existence, a fate that is not that common as many were re-bodied by their owners later in life. This car was a factory demonstrator and was later sold to Mr. A.E. Archbold by the Duesenberg New York City branch in the autumn of 1930. It would change ownership on several occasions over the next few years. Just prior to the Second World War, it was purchased by Jim Hoe. The car served as his primary transportation during the war. It remained in his care until the late 1940s.

In the care of its next owner, the car was treated to a full restoration and then featured in many calendars and publications. At one point in history, it was considered the most valuable Duesenberg in the world.

By the 1950s, the care was owned by an attorney living in Greenwich, Connecticut. In 1960, it was purchased by Anthony Pascucci, who had two other Duesenbergs at the time. Pascucci later sold the car to Dan Williams of Dallas where it remained for the next 27 years. It was sold to collector Rick Carroll. In 1990, the car was sold at auction during the dispersal of Mr. Carroll's estate. It sold for $1,320,000. Since that time, the car has been upgraded. It now wears a two-tone green paint scheme and the interior has been redone in green leather and there is a tan Haartz cloth top.

In 2008, this short-body Model J with LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton coachwork was offered for sale at the 'sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. It had an estimated value of $1,800,000 - $2,400,000. It was sold for $1,760,000 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019