Summary

J-281 Serial #2355. LeGrande body #1007. 265hp 420cid Straight 8 engine. A 100-point restoration was done over 10 years ago. It took Best of Class at Meadowbrook in August 2007.

Details

Specs: Engine J-281. Chassis 2355 - matching numbers. Body: #1007 LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton. Wheelbase: 142.5'. This Duesenberg is certified by the ACD Club. The process for certification from the manual states: 'To qualify, the chassis must consist of an original frame, engine, drivetrain and running gear components of the same series. Also, the body must be a verifiable original of the same model series as the chassis. Cloning and replication are not acceptable.' Only 14 Short wheel base LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton bodies were built by Union City Company for Duesenberg. This particular car J-281, has history since new with 12 owners, as stated in the certification. It has only had 3 owners since 1961, having been part of three important private museum collections. Almost 50 years ago, a noted collector in Ohio switched bodies on his two Duesenbergs. This body swap was done because the original chassis was damaged and he owned a perfect chassis from the other car. In no way does this diminish the importance of this car. Having been restored over 25 years ago, this Duesenberg has won the ACD Meet in Auburn, Indiana and the CCCA Meet in Detroit, Michigan. Just last August, it was awarded Best of Class at the Meadowbrook Concours --beating out the other 12 Duesys in its Class. That is a true testament to the quality of the restoration.