One of the finest examples of a 1930 Duesenberg Model J LWB Dual Cowl Phaeton classic car in the world will be auctioned in Arizona, US, on January 19.
Model J487/2336 is a top example of its marque and boasts a continuous and well-documented history of good care. Says the auctioneer: "it has never been deteriorated and appears to have had only had one restoration—a high quality one at that."
This car was sold new to a Mr. J. Clarke Dean of Chicago, Illinois in 1930. Dean is understood to have been a Chicago broker as well as a golfer and member of Chicago's prestigious Athletic and Racquet Clubs.
Because this is the only long-wheelbase version of the LeBaron sweep panel phaeton ever built, it was likely specially ordered by Mr. Dean.
Eighteen years later, in 1948, the car was in the ownership of a gas station in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was around this time that the Duesenberg Model J's engine was found to have been replaced.
 The 1930 Duesenberg Model J LWB Dual Cowl Phaeton classic car |
J.L. Elbert wrote in 'Duesenberg, the Mightiest American Motor Car' that it is an engine from a sedan. There are not other records of engine J487 and the specific circumstances of the engine replacement are not conclusively documented - although ACD Club records suggest it was carried out by John Troka of Chicago.
Engine J487 remains in the 1930 Duesenberg Model J LWB Dual Cowl Phaeton to this day, for more than 60 years and most of the car's life.
In November of 1964, the classic Duesenberg car was bought by Tony Pascucci of Meriden, Connecticut for $16,600.
Mr Pascucci became a long-term owner, installing a crankshaft and owning the car for 20 years until March 1984. Later that decade, the car was displayed at the Gilmore Duesenberg show in June 1987 and the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance.
It was later inducted into the large collection of John O'Quinn from whose estate it is being offered.
Today, the car is estimated at a whopping $900,000-$1,200,000. If the car brings its high estimate or more, then this Duesenberg Model J's value will have grown by 9.33% per annum since 1964.
Watch this space for more news on the sale.
