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Much like changes in season or fashion, it was not uncommon for the coachwork to change on high-priced automobiles. This car, S/N 2410, was originally purchased by George Tucker Smith, a U.S. Navy Surgeon, in late 1930. It was originally fitted with a Derham Sport Sedan body.
In March of 1932, he returned the car to Duesenberg's New York factory branch, where it was fitted with a new modified Packard Roadster body, similar in style to the Model 745. The result was a car that was longer than any Packard, and yet lower than any other Duesenberg. This provided a lower, more raked-back body, along with a sportier roadster feel. It was finished in black over tan.
18 months after being acquired by its original owner, (G. Tucker Smith of Virginia), it was traded at the Philadelphia Factory Branch. The car changed hands numerous times until being acquired by noted Duesenberg collector Melvin Clemans. It was under his ownership (until 1992) the car became known as the Green Hornet Duesenberg.
The car was restored in 2011, by R.M. Auto restorations. It is the sole example of this type of roadster body mated to a Model J chassis.
In March of 1932, he returned the car to Duesenberg's New York factory branch, where it was fitted with a new modified Packard Roadster body, similar in style to the Model 745. The result was a car that was longer than any Packard, and yet lower than any other Duesenberg. This provided a lower, more raked-back body, along with a sportier roadster feel. It was finished in black over tan.
18 months after being acquired by its original owner, (G. Tucker Smith of Virginia), it was traded at the Philadelphia Factory Branch. The car changed hands numerous times until being acquired by noted Duesenberg collector Melvin Clemans. It was under his ownership (until 1992) the car became known as the Green Hornet Duesenberg.
The car was restored in 2011, by R.M. Auto restorations. It is the sole example of this type of roadster body mated to a Model J chassis.
This Duesenberg Model J Roadster is very unusual. It has a Duesenberg chassis with a custom Packard body. Since Duesenberg did not offer a true, wind-in-your-hair, roadster, the original owner of this vehicle selected a Packard body. The roadster body offered a type of motoring experience that could not be achieved with a convertible body style. It had a minimal top with just enough area to provide shade from the sun and other elements. With an open body, the sides were lower and undeniably rakish.
The original owner of this car was George Tucker Smith, a surgeon for the U.S. Navy, stationed at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital. It was purchased in the late 1930s and fitted with a Derham Sport Sedan body. Nearly two years later, in March of 1932, it was returned to the New York Factory branch, where it was given a new Packard roadster body.
The chassis is the standard Duesenberg platform. With the lower cowl height of the Packard, several modifications were required. The result was a car that was longer than any Packard, yet lower than any Duesenberg. It is painted black and has a tan leather interior.
In November of 1933, Dr. Smith traded the Duesenberg back to the New York factory branch, where he bought a second new Duesenberg (J272 - a LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton). He later had the LeBaron coachwork of J272 removed and fitted with Rollston Quarter Window Victoria coachwork that had been removed from band leader Paul Whiteman's car.
Chassis 2410 was purchased by the second owner whose name is unknown. Delivery was taken in September 1934. The third owner was W.J. Calhoun, Jr., who purchased it on October 27th of 1936. The car passed through two more owners before it was acquired by Dr. Herbert A. Wiggins of New York, in August of 1942.
Soon after, the car was in Norfolk, Virginia, and in the ownership of USN Lt. Cecil Haycraft. The next owner was Theodore Cole, who later sold it to Peter Sosa of Atlanta, Georgia and then sold it to Conrad Clemens in Pennsylvania in 1946. Clemens died shortly after purchasing the vehicle, and Melvin Clemens of Huntington, West Virginia (Conrad's brother) purchased the car. While in Melvin's care, a new engine was fitted - J434, which still remains in the car to this day.
The car remained in Clemen's care for most of his life. In 1994, it was traded to Harry Yeaggy. The next owner was Bill Bools, who kept it until his recent passing.
In 2009, this Model J Duesenberg/Packard was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The lot was estimated to sell for $900,000 - $1,200,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $600,000.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
The original owner of this car was George Tucker Smith, a surgeon for the U.S. Navy, stationed at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital. It was purchased in the late 1930s and fitted with a Derham Sport Sedan body. Nearly two years later, in March of 1932, it was returned to the New York Factory branch, where it was given a new Packard roadster body.
The chassis is the standard Duesenberg platform. With the lower cowl height of the Packard, several modifications were required. The result was a car that was longer than any Packard, yet lower than any Duesenberg. It is painted black and has a tan leather interior.
In November of 1933, Dr. Smith traded the Duesenberg back to the New York factory branch, where he bought a second new Duesenberg (J272 - a LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton). He later had the LeBaron coachwork of J272 removed and fitted with Rollston Quarter Window Victoria coachwork that had been removed from band leader Paul Whiteman's car.
Chassis 2410 was purchased by the second owner whose name is unknown. Delivery was taken in September 1934. The third owner was W.J. Calhoun, Jr., who purchased it on October 27th of 1936. The car passed through two more owners before it was acquired by Dr. Herbert A. Wiggins of New York, in August of 1942.
Soon after, the car was in Norfolk, Virginia, and in the ownership of USN Lt. Cecil Haycraft. The next owner was Theodore Cole, who later sold it to Peter Sosa of Atlanta, Georgia and then sold it to Conrad Clemens in Pennsylvania in 1946. Clemens died shortly after purchasing the vehicle, and Melvin Clemens of Huntington, West Virginia (Conrad's brother) purchased the car. While in Melvin's care, a new engine was fitted - J434, which still remains in the car to this day.
The car remained in Clemen's care for most of his life. In 1994, it was traded to Harry Yeaggy. The next owner was Bill Bools, who kept it until his recent passing.
In 2009, this Model J Duesenberg/Packard was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The lot was estimated to sell for $900,000 - $1,200,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $600,000.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009
2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,400,000-USD $1,800,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,650,000
2009 Automobiles of Arizona
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,200,000
High Bid (Lot was not sold)
USD $600,000
1931 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J
(Data based on Model Year 1931 sales)
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2440 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for USD$1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Sedan Chassis#: 2187 Sold for USD$857,500 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2464 Sold for USD$3,415,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster 'Green Hornet' Chassis#: 2410 Sold for USD$1,650,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Limousine by Willoughby Chassis#: 2438 Sold for USD$451,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Custom Berline Chassis#: 2371 Sold for USD$506,000 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J SWB Sport Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2486 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Pacific Grove Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg II Dual Cowl Phaeton Sold for USD$134,750 2016 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2468 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Phaeton in the Style of Tourster Sold for USD$265,000 2015 Auctions America - Auburn Fall | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2456 Sold for USD$825,000 2013 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2350 Sold for USD$462,000 2013 Gooding and Company - The Amelia Island Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#: 2440 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2013 RM Auctions - Arizona | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Dual Windshield ‘Barrelside' Phaeton by LeBaron Chassis#: 2318 Sold for USD$1,292,500 2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Limousine Chassis#: 2438 Sold for USD$330,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2363 Sold for USD$693,000 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster Chassis#: J444 Sold for USD$1,485,000 2007 RM Auctions - The McMullen Collection | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster Sold for USD$378,000 2007 The Florida Collector Car Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Special Phaeton Chassis#: 2189 Sold for USD$2,640,000 2006 The Otis Chandler Collection Auction |
Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction
1931 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Carrosserie Franay | 2465 | 2024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |||
1931 Duesenberg Model J | 2009 Automobiles of Arizona | $600,000 | $900,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J | 2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company | ||||
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster | J206 | 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook | $430,000 | $350,000 | $500,000 |
1931 Duesenberg J104 Convertible Victoria | 2004 The Florida Collector Car Auction | $425,000 | |||
1931 Duesenberg Model J Conv. Victoria | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $450,000 | |||
1931 Duesenberg Model J Sedan | 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island | $280,000 | |||
1931 DUESENBERG TORPEDO PHAETON | 2319 | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $410,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $1,045,602 range.
1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé by Carrosserie Jean Barou Chassis#:110107 Sold for $1,043,873 2024 RM Sothebys : The Tegernsee Auction | |
1998 RUF BTR Chassis#:W09TD0364WPR06013 Sold for $1,050,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coachwork by Bertone Chassis#:4124 Sold for $1,037,077 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
2021 Ford GT Carbon Series Sold for $1,055,500 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1937 LAGONDA LG45 RAPIDE Chassis#:12245/G10S Sold for $1,055,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 d'Ieteren Frères Cabriolet Chassis#:13033 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:189.010.7500563 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO Chassis#:ZFF70RCA0B0183377 Sold for $1,039,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500277 Sold for $1,040,093 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
2021 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9DW4MH200013 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
2020 Ford GT Carbon Series Chassis#:2FAGP9DW8LH100186 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Sold for $1,045,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500570 Sold for $1,039,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Drophead Coupe by Lancefield Chassis#:169317 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2020 Ford GT MkII Chassis#:FPMMMK11012 Sold for $1,045,000 2022 Mecum : Monterey | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2547 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Lightweight Chassis#:964018 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1966 SHELBY 427 COBRA Chassis#:CSX 3192 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500137 Sold for $1,035,821 2022 RM Sothebys : Paris |
1931 Duesenberg Model J
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