Evaluation: Bodied by the Duesenberg factory with this Packard-built roadster coachwork with a lower cowl. Known history from new. Engine swapped by long term owner Melvin Clemans. A-C-D certified. Restored by RM, award winner at Amelia Island and Pebble Beach in 2011. Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery and top. The chassis shows no road use.
Bottom Line: Offered by RM at Arizona in 2009 before the most recent restoration where it was reported bid to $600,000. It’s an interesting value case: A real Model J with a factory-installed body by Packard. It’s also unusually good looking and more sporting than the more common Model J convertible coupes. The discussion (and there was plenty of it at Hershey) is whether its good looks make up for the body’s origin. The general conclusion, and that of the successful bidder, is that it does, with adjustments that make it a relatively good value.
