1934 Duesenberg Model J Rollston Stationary Victoria
Chassis 2505, engine J-490, is the sole Duesenberg Model J bodied as a Rollston Stationary Victoria — a fixed-roof interpretation of the coachbuilder's celebrated convertible Victoria, executed as a unique one-off design (number 401) with special rear cabinetry, cloisonné hardware, and suede-bound whipcord upholstery. Delivered circa 1933–34 to a Chicago owner, the car passed through a documented chain of notable custodians before spending fifty-one years in the Atwell family's Texas museum collection. It earned CCCA Senior status and appeared twice at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and has benefitted from a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic freshening in recent ownership.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,325,000
- 1945 →Private saleGerald W. Sutcliffepartial documentation
New York resident; acquired the car through prominent used-Duesenberg dealer Louis Hodich.
- → 1950Acquisition unknownEdward R. Kershpartial documentation
Used savings accumulated during wartime military service to purchase the car, which he affectionately nicknamed his 'Dusie'.
- 1950 →Private saleRodgers Wheelerpartial documentation
Nyack, New York resident and early Classic Car Club of America member; sold the car approximately five years after acquiring it.
- 1964 → 1965Acquisition unknownDr. Samuel Scherpartial documentation
Prominent New York plastic surgeon and automobile collector.
- 1965 →Private saleRobert Atwellfull documentation
Fredericksburg, Texas collector assembling a curated Full Classic collection; displayed the car publicly at his Classic Car Showcase museum in Kerrville and commissioned a cosmetic restoration by Gus Reuter of Reuter Coach Works prior to the car's arrival in Texas.
- → 2016-04-01InheritanceRich Atwellpartial documentation
Son of Robert Atwell; maintained the family collection and continued occasional concours display, though the Duesenberg was largely kept off the show circuit for roughly 35 years after its 1981 Pebble Beach appearance.
- 2016-04-01 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Long-standing admirer of this particular car; commissioned mechanical rebuilding by Duesenberg specialist Brian Joseph and interior and cosmetic freshening by Dan Kirkpatrick.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryRichard Norrispartial documentation
Chicago resident identified as original owner in Rollston records; vehicle was serviced by Rollston on his behalf in 1934.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLewis McComb Herzogpartial documentation
New York stockbroker; second recorded owner after the original.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRichard Weilpartial documentation
Connected to the Straus family, proprietors of major retail enterprises including Macy's and Bamberger's.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEd Wordlingpartial documentation
Held the car briefly before selling to the next owner.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMax and Cecile Obiepartial documentation
Operators of a traveling automobile exhibition called Obie's Autorama, displaying notable cars at fairs and carnivals; transaction facilitated by Duesenberg mechanic Jim Hoe.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHerman B. Zinnpartial documentation
New Jersey restaurateur; tenure described as brief.
Competition
- 1970Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Senior status achievement100-point score (Senior status)
Car attained Senior classification in CCCA judging, earning a perfect score for the first time in 1970.
- 1976Auburn Cord Duesenberg ClubACD Club National Reunion1st place
First Place award at the national gathering held in Auburn, Indiana.
- 1979Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Texas Bluebonnet CARavan
Participated as a driving event, not a judged concours.
- 19811981 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Appearance noted by Duesenberg historian Don Howell in the ACD Club newsletter, who praised it as his favorite closed-body short-chassis Duesenberg.
- 20182018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
First major public showing after extensive mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment by current owner.
- 20182018 Duesenberg Tour, White MountainsCompleted without mechanical issue
Driving tour through New Hampshire's White Mountains region, conducted immediately following the Pebble Beach concours appearance.
- —Auburn Cord Duesenberg ClubAuburn Cord Duesenberg Club inaugural major meet
First significant ACD Club gathering, held in Avon, Pennsylvania; car was entered shortly after the Obies acquired it.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1934ServiceRollston
The completed car was serviced by Rollston on behalf of the original owner following delivery.
- 1965RestorationReuter Coach Works
A cosmetic restoration was carried out prior to the car's shipment to Texas for Robert Atwell. The body was not separated from the chassis during this work.
Executed by Gus Reuter, a pioneering coachbuilder-turned-restorer operating in the Bronx.
- —Bodywork
The existing restoration was comprehensively refreshed with a new roof covering, new trunk covering, and a pleated brown leather interior fitted throughout.
Carried out by Dan Kirkpatrick under current ownership, after the car was acquired in April 2016.
- —Engine rebuildClassic & Exotic Service
A complete engine rebuild was performed by a recognised Duesenberg specialist.
Work undertaken by Brian Joseph of Classic & Exotic Service, Troy, Michigan, under current ownership.
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