Heroshot

1931 Duesenberg Model J

Roadster
J-434
RM Sotheby's Hershey 2021
Thursday, 7 October - Friday, 8 October 2021
$1,650,000
Sale Price
1400000 - 1800000
Est. Range
8 October 2021
Sold Date
279
Lot Number
#1-
Concours Restoration
RM Sotheby's
Auction House
Chassis no. 2410. Dark green over brown leather with a brown cloth top. 420 cu-in, 265-hp twin-cam inline eight. Twilite headlights, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual enclosed sidemounts with chrome rings, rumble seat, folding windshield, barometric altimeter, Jaeger clock.

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.

by Rick Carey
4 November 2021
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