1280s: 1935 Duesenberg Model J Maroon 23.txt (1/1) 7591 bytes

Some of these I've posted, but don't remember which!


1935 DUESENBERG J

The Model J Duesenberg has long been regarded as most outstanding example of design and engineering of the classic era. Introduced in 1929, trading was halted on the New York Stock exchange for the announcement. At $8,500 for the chassis alone, it was by far the most expensive car in America. With coachwork, the delivered price of many Duesenberg's was known to have cost as much as $20,000.00 a staggering sum at a time when a typical new family car cost around $500.00 Few would argue that the car’s features did not support its price. Indeed the model J”s specifications sound current today: 265 horsepower, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, power hydraulic brakes, and eventually an operational supper charger. The new Duesenberg was tailor made for the custom body industry. It had the power and stance to carry imposing coachwork, and the style and grace of the factory sheet metal was ideally suited for the execution of elegant custom coachwork. One of the better known firms of the era was Derham Body Company of Rosemount, PA. Like many coach builders Derham earned its reputation catering to the carriage trade – Those wealthy Philadelphia customers who could afford to commission a specially designed carriage in which to travel, and be seen in the fashionable areas of town. With the advent of the automobile, Derham's clientele naturally looked to them to provide the same elegant and luxurious bodies for their motor cars. Known for their formal bodies, town cars and limousines primarily, Derham cars had a reputation for exceptional quality. One owner who certainly seemed to agree was a Mr. O.W. Hunke of Chicago, IL, who bought one of the first Duesenberg's delivered – a Derham bodied sedan mounted on a chassis J119/2144. Mr. Hunke kept his car until 1934. When he returned it to the factory to have his beloved Derham body updated and remounted on a new chassis. The result was J551/2577, a supercharged car with a remarkable and much modernized body and appearance. In fact, the story of this car is a remarkable testimonial to the determination of the Duesenberg Company to cater to the whims of their wealthy clientele. The origin of Mr. Hunke’s updated car came in 1934 when Duesenberg realized that it would be necessary to modernize the appearance of the legendary model J if it was to continue to compete with the latest products from Cadillac, Packard, and others. The main problem was styling. While Duesenberg’s trademark tombstone chrome grille and shutters and long sweeping fenders were the height of the style in 1929, by the mid thirties, they looked dated. As a result, a new car was commissioned using a leftover Judkins body from 1929. One of the significant new additions to the coachwork was a dramatic new waterfall style grille and contemporary skirted fenders. In addition, sleek new bullet shaped headlights and taillights replaced the large round chrome originals. Finally a new single blade bumper was installed. The effect was quite remarkable and seemed to appeal all who saw it. Except for the buyer! Ironically enough, the buyer of his newly restyled Duesenberg promptly announced that he wouldn’t take it unless it had the more traditional original Duesenberg styling. Off came the new grille, fenders, bumpers and lights and on went the original style parts. Fortunately the new parts were retained, and when Mr. Hunke came along wanting an updated Duesenberg, he pronounced the new look perfect for his new car. The ever accommodating Duesenberg Company complied, mounting his old body on the new chassis, removing dated pieces and installing the ones removed from the Judkins sedan. At the same time Mr. Hunke ordered the windshield racked back and flashy new vee windshield installed. A flush mounted integeral trunk was installed and several other updates made, including the installation of a vent window (on the driver’s side only) so that Mr. Hunke could enjoy a fine cigar without too much inconvenience to his passengers. While little is known of the Duesenberg’s subsequent history, by the late 40’s, Mr. Hunke's Durham sedan belonged to the Duesenberg enthusiast and dealer John Troka, who sold it a short time later to renowned classic car enthusiast and collector Mr. D Cameron Peck. In 1951. Peck sold the car to West Virginia Collector Melvin Clemens. Some time later, probably in the late 1950’s Clemens sold J551 to Jack Irwin, who was restoring another car. He removed the body and all the updated sheet metal and set it aside, using the chassis for his other project. Meanwhile another Duesenberg had met a similar fate. J310/2144, a Judkins Limo, was bought new by Chicago business man Chris T. Weiland. The car reported to be one of the original Los Angeles Salon cars, also ended up in the hands of John Troka, making the rounds of several Chicago area collectors before ending up as J551 did, in the collection of Cameron Peck. For reasons long since lost, Peck stripped the body off the chassis and used many of the other parts for other projects. Meanwhile legendary Duesenberg collector Homer Flittering was amassing his collection, which would ultimately be one of the largest Duesenberg collections ever assembled. Fitterling bought the body from Mr. Hunke’s beloved Derham Duesenberg from Irwin. Determined to restore the car to its original glory, he set about inquiring the necessary parts, including the ex-peck J310/2144 chassis and engine. He mounted Hunke's body complete with the original new style front end and parts on the restored J310 chassis, allowing the legacy of the Hunke Duesenberg to carry on. Ed Weaver, of Dalton, GA bought the entire Fitterling collection in 1989, including J310. During his ownership, the car was awarded a Level One Certification as an original car by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club. With Weavers untimely death in the early 1990’s, J310 was acquired by Pennsylvania collector Dr. Joseph Murphy, he then traded the car to Houston Collector Jerry J. Moore. Bill Chorkey acquired J310 from Moore in the late 1990’s, at which point he commissioned a thorough mechanical freshening at the hands of Duesenberg Specialist, Brian Joseph of Troy Michigan. During this time brakes, wheels, tires, wheel bearings, kingpins, exhaust and many other items were attended to. In addition correct style bumpers were located and fitted to the car, finally returning it to the appearance it had when Mr. Hunke first took delivery if the new Duesenberg in 1935. This unique Duesenberg is widely admired for it s smooth art deco lines and appearance. It has been the feature car in numerous articles including the Jan – Feb 2000 edition of the Michigan Region Classic Car Club of America Publication “Torque”. In that issue it was extensively photographed and images of the car in its original delivery configuration can be seen as well. The popular closed Duesenberg can also be seen on the page seven of Fred Roe’s book, Duesenberg: The Pursuit of Perfection. In the article discussed above, restorer Brian Joseph mentioned that this example featured the very gas tank extension, something he had seen only once before. All in all the Duesenberg is a very special car; it will be a stunning tour car and will continue to be a welcome highlight to shows and competitions across the world. The remarkable story of the J310 illustrates the extent to which the factory was willing to go to too satisfy its clientele; it is also the story of the lengths to which collectors will go to return a fabled car to its original glory.

$450,000.00