1934 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton

1934 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Coachwork by Fran Roxas in the style of Brunn

This 1934 Duesenberg Model J Dual Phaeton J555 was originally dressed in a Willoughby Berline body mounted on chassis number 2579. Early documentation suggests that it was rebodied around 1939 to be a convertible sedan, but at some point during its illustrious career, the 1934 Model J was reconfigured by Duesenberg restoration guru Fran Roxas as a Torpedo Phaeton in the style of Brunn.

This 1934 J555 features the iconic Duesenberg seven-liter straight-eight motor with all eight cylinders feeding into a single exhaust, an avant-garde powerhouse built for speed and reliability, described by the media of the era as the one of the biggest, fastest and most expensive automobiles ever built. This Torpedo Phaeton is robed in stunning midnight blue with contrasting mocha leather upholstery, brown carpet and white wall tires mounted on chrome wire wheels. As was the penchant of the day, this Duesenberg features extravagant chrome detail with two driving lights mounted on the windshield, a large luggage rack on the rear and two spare white wall tires on wire wheels mounted to the front fenders. The chrome slatted running boards are typical of the era and accentuate the ostentatious sweeping lines of the front wheel arches. Built to serve the aristocracy's predilection for luxurious touring, this Torpedo Phaeton features a second windshield to protect the rear passengers from the wind at high speeds and provides a little privacy from the chauffeur.

The interior is accessed through hidden hinged coach doors, also known as suicide doors, and both compartments have heavily padded bench seats dressed in soft brown leather. The front metal dashboard is strewn with chromed dials, gauges and instruments, and passengers in the rear are invited to keep track of the time, speed and general direction of progress through a rear-compartment dashboard with a Jaeger clock, speedometer and compass. The overall demeanor of this 1934 Duesenberg Torpedo Phaeton is one of elegance, opulence and speed, as is underlined by the Duesenberg winged hood mascot, also known as the 'Duesenbird', and the spread-eagle insignia mounted on the radiator.

Extensive research has been executed on this car and it appears to have cruised under the radar for several decades, reemerging around 1982 when it resided in the stewardship of a gentleman in Chicago. Then in 1986 it was featured in Duesenberg: The Pursuit of Perfection, written by Fred Roe, a tome generally recognized as the Holy Book of the Duesenberg marque. Two years later, in 1988, the car was apparently invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as a participant in the New Coachwork Class, featuring its Torpedo Phaeton body by Roxas.

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams