Duesenberg Model J 1928 Car

The Duesenberg Model J was a luxury car made by Duesenberg exclusively in 1928 and offered for ten subsequent years. Intended to compete with the most luxurious and powerful cars in the world, specifically the Rolls-Royce and the Mercedes-Benz, it was introduced in 1928, the year before the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. Duesenberg Motors Company went bankrupt in 1937. However, two more Duesenbergs were completed between 1937 and 1940. Do you like classic cars like the Duesenberg Model J?

The Duesenberg Model J

The Duesenberg Model J debuted on December 1st at the New York Car Show of 1928. In Europe, it was launched at the “Salon de l’automobile de Paris” of 1929. The series, the J-101, was a LeBaron sweep panel dual cowl phaeton, finished in silver and black. By the time the Great Depression hit in October 1929, the Duesenberg Company had only built some 200 cars. An additional 100 orders were filled in 1930. Thus, the Model J fell short of the original goal to sell 500 cars a year.

Engine

The 420 cubic inch straight eight motor was based on the company’s successful racing engines of the 1920s, and though designed by Duesenberg, they were manufactured by Lycoming, a sister company with the same owner. It produced 265 horsepower from dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. It was capable of a top speed of 116 miles per hour and 89 miles per hour in 2nd gear. Other cars featured a bigger engine, but none of them surpassed its power. It was also both the fastest and most expensive American automobile on the market.

Design

As was common practice among the luxury car brands, the Duesenberg Model J displayed only the engine and chassis; the body and interior trim of the car would be custom-made to the owner’s specifications by a third-party coachbuilder. The chassis on most cars was the same, as was the styling of such elements as fenders, headlamps, radiator, hood, and instrument panel.

The car was generally available with either a short 142.5-inch wheelbase chassis or a long 153.5-inch wheelbase. Special orders included two SSJs shortened to 125 inches and a few extended to 160 inches and over. The chassis cost $8,500 ($195,894 in 2024 dollars). This was at a time when the average U.S. physician earned less than $3,000 a year ($69,139 in 2024 dollars).

Supercharged Version

A marketing slogan was that the only car that could pass a Duesenberg was another Duesenberg. Reinforcing this claim was the powerful 320 horsepower the supercharged “SJ” model developed on the 142.5-inch wheelbase.  It was reputed to be capable of 104 miles per hour in second gear and have a top speed of around 130 miles per hour in third gear. Zero-to-60 miles per hour times of around eight seconds and 0–100 miles per hour in 17 seconds.

Duesenberg Special

With financing from sponsors, Ab Jenkins commissioned a speed car. It was built in 1935 on a supercharged Duesenberg Model J rolling chassis with a standard wheelbase, a modified front axle, and a non-standard high rear axle ratio. The engine was highly tuned by Augie Duesenberg. High-performance parts developed for the Special, especially the “ram’s horn” twin-carburetor inlet manifold, would be used on later supercharged Js. In October 1935, Jenkins drove the car to a one-hour record of 153.97 miles per hour and a twenty-four-hour record of 135.57 miles at a circuit on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Conclusion

The Duesenberg Model J is what one thinks about when one thinks about a classic car. What is amazing is that the car traveled so fast and was built so long ago. The Germans knew what they were doing. Obviously, a goal of this car was to break speed records, as it was raced at the Bonneville Salt Flats.