Duesenberg (203)On this episode of
A Carography, we take a look back at arguably the most incredible automobiles ever built. Built in the first half of the century, the Duesenberg was decades ahead of its time. Duesenbergs are still powerful enough to keep up with most modern day production cars and no one can deny their timeless beauty.
The Duesenberg was truly the car of kings. Literally, the beauty and plush interior attracted international royalty. It sold for $20,000. Today, that would be equivalent to a new car selling for one million dollars. Several Hollywood celebrities of the era also made the Duesenberg a status symbol in this country.
Unfortunately, as the rest of the industry progressed, Duesenberg failed to advance much further in design or technology. The last Duesenberg rolled out of the factory in 1937. Today, Duesenberg’s can fetch more than three million dollars on the collectors market thanks to there superb quality, beauty and performance. It still is the car of kings.
History of the Duesenberg Facts:
- Fred and August Duesenberg were born in Lippe, Germany, in 1878.
- In 1898, Fred Duesenberg built the first Duesenberg engine at Rockford, Iowa.
- In 1920, Tommy Milton’s Duesenberg sets the one mile record in 23.07 seconds at 156.04 mph.
- In 1925, Peter de Paolo wins the Indianapolis 500 with an average speed of 101.13 mph.
- The first Duesenberg Model J’s were delivered in March 1929.
Duesenberg was built on two chassis lengths: 142.5 and 153.5 inches.
In 1929, Gordon Buehrig becomes Duesenberg’s chief designer.
1933 was Gordon Buehrig’s final year as Duesenberg’s chief designer.
Murphy was the most prolific Duesenberg coachbuilder.
Rollston was established in the mid-20’s and still survives today.
Duesenberg :59 Bumper Facts:
- Early heroes were Captain Campbell, Parry Thomas, Ray Keech, George Eyston and John R. Cobb.
- Early speed records were attempted both at Pendine Sands, South Wales, and at Daytona Beach, Fla.
- In 1931, Campbell reached 245 mph with his blue bird on a measured mile record.
- The team behind the Duesenberg Special was Augie Duesenberg, Ab Jenkins and Herb Newport.
- The body was designed by Herbert Newport and was the first ever to be tested in a wind tunnel.
- The first test was conducted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 1935.
- It was a great publicity coup for the Duesenberg, Inc. company, although it came too late to save it.
- The Duesenberg special would be the last of the automotive-engined cars used to break records, airplane engines would be the future of land speed racing.
The Woodie today Facts:
- Duesenberg cars could reach 115-120mph with a weight of 5,400 to 6,700 lbs.
- Every 750 miles, a red light would flash to advise for an oil change.
- Every 1,500 miles, a green light would flash to advise checking the battery water.
- Fred was driving a Murphy convertible coupe with an experimental supercharger at the time of his accident.
- In 1937, the cord corporation sold the Duesenberg buildings and land to the Marmon-Herrington Company.
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