An absolutely superb and rare photo of the Duesenberg factory!
Duesenberg (Duesy) was an Auburn, Indiana
based luxury automobile company active in various forms from 1913 to 1937, most
famous for its high-quality, record-breaking roadsters. In 1913, brothers Fred
and August Duesenberg founded Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc.
on State Street in Garner, Iowa to build sports cars. Born in 1876 and 1879 in Lemgo, Germany,
the two brothers were self-taught engineers and built many experimental cars.
Duesenberg cars were considered some of the very best cars of the time, and
were built entirely by hand. In 1914, Eddie Rickenbacker drove a
"Duesy" to finish in 10th place at the Indianapolis 500, and a Duesenberg won the race
in 1924, 1925, and 1927. 1923 saw the only use of a Duesenberg as the pace car
at the Indianapolis
500. In
1921, Jimmy Murphy became the first American to win the French Grand Prix when
he drove a Duesenberg to victory at the Le
Mans racetrack. Duesenberg Automobile and Motors
Company moved from New Jersey
to a new headquarters and factory in Indianapolis
in July 1921 to begin production of passenger vehicles. Although the Duesenberg
brothers were world-class engineers, they were unable to sell their Model A
car, their first "mass-produced" vehicle—just 667 were ever made. It
was considered extremely advanced, offering features such as dual overhead
camshafts, four-valve cylinder heads, and the first hydraulic brakes offered on
a passenger car. The company went into receivership in 1922, finally being
acquired from creditors by a Fred Duesenberg-led investor group in 1925,
forming the Duesenberg Motors Company. E.L. Cord, the owner of Cord Automobile,
Auburn Automobile, and other transportation firms, bought the company in 1926
for the brothers' engineering skills (and the brand name) in order to produce
luxury cars. Hiring Fred Duesenberg to design the chassis and an engine that
would be the best in the world, the newly revived Duesenberg company set about
to produce the Model J, which debuted at the New York Car Show of 1928. In unsupercharged
form, it produced a whopping 265 horsepower (198 kW) from a dual overhead
camshaft straight 8 and was capable of a top speed of 119 mph (192 km/h), and 94 mph (151 km/h) in 2nd
gear. The supercharged version, sometimes called the SJ, was reputed to do 104 miles per hour (167 km/h) in second
and have a top speed of 135–140 mph (217–225 km/h) in third. Zero-to-60 mph (100 km/h) times of
around eight seconds and 0-to-100 mph
(160 km/h)
times of 17 seconds were reported for the SJ in spite of the unsynchronized
transmissions, at a time when even the best cars of the era were not likely to
reach 100 mph
(160 km/h).
Duesenbergs generally weighed around two and a half tons; up to three tons was
not unusual, considering the wide array of custom coachwork available. Only the
chassis and engine were displayed at New
York, since the interior and body of the car would be
custom-made by an experienced coachbuilder to the owner's specifications. The
bodyworks for the Duesenbergs came from both North America
and Europe, and the finished cars comprised
some of the largest, grandest, most beautiful, and most elegant cars ever
created. The chassis cost $8,500 ($9,500 after 1932); the completed base model
cost $13,500; and a top-of-the-line model could reach $25,000 at a time when
the average U.S.
physician earned less than $3,000 a year. The supercharged Model J, with
320 hp (often referred to as "SJ") was introduced in 1932.
Special-bodied models, such as the later "Mormon Meteor" chassis,
achieved an average speed of over 135 mph (217 km/h) and a
one-hour average of over 152 mph
(245 km/h)
at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. The SJ's supercharger was located
beside the engine; to make room for it, the exhaust pipes were creased so they
could be bent easily and extended through the side panel of the hood. These
supercharged cars can be recognized by these shiny creased tubes, which Cord
registered as a trademark and used in his other supercharged cars from Cord and
Auburn. It was
said, "The only car that could pass a Duesenberg was another Duesenberg—and
that was with the first owner's consent." The Duesenberg quickly became
one of the most popular luxury cars in America and also in Europe, driven by
the nobility, rich and famous, among them Clark Gable, Gary Cooper (each
driving one of the two very rare SSJ 125? short-wheelbase convertibles), the
Duke of Windsor, the King of Spain Alfonso XIII, who was very keen on motoring,
chose his now missing Duesenberg J, among his cars, to go to exile after the
proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic. Duesenberg advertising claimed it
was the best car in the world, and their world-beating performance and extreme
opulence tended to back that up. There was a gradual evolution (up to the 1937
model) to preserve the "stately lines" while moving into a more
integrated mode of styling. The final evolution of the Duesenberg engine was
ram-air intakes, which were added to some of the last supercharged models to produce
400 hp (298 kW), referred to as "SSJ" (also a name never
used by the factory). Of the 470 Model Js and 11 SJs produced between 1928 and
1937, about 384 are extant. Duesenberg ceased production in 1937 after Cord's
financial empire collapsed. After World War II, August Duesenberg tried to
revive the Duesenberg name, but was unsuccessful; several later attempts were
also unsuccessful. The closest came in the mid-1960s, with Fritz (August's son)
at the helm and Virgil Exner as the stylist, using the chassis of a 1966
Imperial and a Chrysler engine. One of Exner's Duesenberg designs was later
produced as the modern Stutz Bearcat. A 1970s Duesenberg was also created,
based on a Cadillac Fleetwood and with modern styling, although its production
was not high. Beginning with its introduction in 1975 at the ACD Festival in Auburn, Indiana,
the reproduction Duesenberg II automobile was produced and sold through
mid-2000. Five models of the original Duesenbergs were made, each one carefully
copied from an original and visually identical, with a modern Ford V8 driveline
and modern comfort features. These exacting reproductions sold for up to
US$225,000. The Duesenberg name still lives on as an object of opulence and
luxury. It is estimated that as of 2006, approximately 50% (or roughly 600) of
the originally manufactured Duesenbergs are still on the road as classic cars
or "oldtimers".
This is a very nice and very rare non
period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Duesenberg automotive history
in a wonderful way. This is your rare
chance to own this photo, therefore it is printed in a nice large format
of ca. 8" x 11" (ca. 20 cm x 27 cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.