Duesenberg Model J Engine (Rebuilt and Runs)

The Duesenberg Model J was a luxury automobile 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, 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.

Background

1931 Duesenberg Model J Victoria Convertible by Rollston

E. L. Cord, the owner of Auburn Automobile Company, and other transportation firms, bought the Duesenberg Motor Corporation on October 26, 1926, for the brothers' engineering skills, talent and brand name. He intended to produce a car to rival the size, power, and luxury of top European brands such as Hispano-Suiza and Rolls-Royce.[4]

After Cord's takeover, the new company was renamed "Duesenberg, Inc." Fred Duesenberg would continue in the new organization with the title of vice president in charge of engineering and experimental work.[5] Fred's brother August, who had played an important role in the development of the Model A and its variant, the rare X, had nothing to do with the initial design of the J and had no formal connection with Duesenberg, Inc. until later. According to the expert Marshall Merkes, "Cord did not want Augie around."[6] However, all Duesenberg racing cars produced after 1926 were built by Augie in an enterprise that functioned separately, and in a building apart from the main Duesenberg plant. He was also responsible for a number of engineering achievements like the superchargers developed for both the Auburn and Cord motorcars.[7]