In Pictures: 1931 Model J Dual-Windshield “Barrelside” Phaeton by LeBaron
This 1931 Duesenberg left a racy German Merc far behind in a high-stakes duel.Darin Schnabel/RM Auctions
It sold last month at auction for $1.3-million.
Duesenberg brothers Fred and August began building cars in 1913 in Des Moines, Iowa, a long way from the glitter of Hollywood or the tracks of Europe.
But their cars were well-engineered and fast enough to win the French Grand Prix in 1921 and the Indy 500 in 1924, 1925 and 1927.
Duesenberg was taken over by E.L. Cord in the mid-1920s and this fast-mover challenged Fred Duesenberg to build “the best car in the world,” a machine capable of taking on the greatest of the European marques.
In 1928, the Model J was unveiled at the New York auto show, living up to its Cord-inspired billing with a massive chassis supported on solid axles and powered by a 420-cubic-inch, dual-overhead-cam, four-valve-per-cylinder straight-eight that produced 265 hp, giving it a top speed of 190 km/h.
The depression spoiled Cord’s plans to sell 500 Model J’s a year.
The Duesenberg went through a series of owners and later collectors, becoming part of the Craven Foundation collection in Toronto in the 1970s, before being sold to the Roy Bowersox collection in Pennsylvania.
Chrome wire wheels - 1931 Model J Dual-Windshield “Barrelside” Phaeton by LeBaron
1931 Model J Dual-Windshield “Barrelside” Phaeton by LeBaron
1931 Model J Dual-Windshield “Barrelside” Phaeton by LeBaron
The interior is complemented by brown carpeting and accented by a Duesenberg eagle molded into the leather-upholstered panel behind the driver’s seat.
It is also equipped with dual rear taillights and modern driving lights and seat belts.