1935 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Convertible Coupe with Rollston coachwork
- Engine
- Supercharged straight-eight
A unique Duesenberg Model J (chassis 2556, engine J-550) bodied by New York coachbuilder Rollston in a one-off two-passenger convertible coupe design, the only such body ever constructed to this specification on the Model J. Originally fitted to supercharged SJ chassis J-527, the body was transferred to the present chassis in 1935. The car passed through the hands of notable early owner Isabel Townsend Pell, survived wartime France, and later underwent restoration in the J.B. Nethercutt shops, earning Best of Show honours at the CCCA's 10th Annual Meeting in 1962. It served as the basis for Monogram's widely sold model kit and has been prominently featured in multiple authoritative Duesenberg reference works.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$4,680,000
- 1933-12-01 →Private saleIsabel Townsend Pellpartial documentation
New York socialite who worked in fashion; took the car to France in 1939 and served in the French Resistance during the war. The body was originally on chassis J-527 before being transferred to J-550 in 1935 due to supercharger trouble.
- → 1947Acquisition unknownFrench owner who relocated to Havanapartial documentation
A French national who transported the car to Cuba in 1947 but passed away shortly after arriving; the car reportedly sat at the docks for several years afterward.
- 1950 →Private saleLilian Ramirezpartial documentation
Cuban owner who purchased the car through a local dealer after it had sat idle at the docks.
- → 1952Acquisition unknownTwo short-term Cuban ownersnone documentation
Two briefly-held Cuban custodians before the car left the island.
- 1952 → 1955Private salePaul V. Whitepartial documentation
Florida resident who purchased the car from Cuba for $1,500 and later sold it in late 1955.
- 1955 → 1966Private saleAllen Thurnpartial documentation
Enthusiast from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, active in the ACD Club, who had the car cosmetically restored in Nethercutt's shops and later fully restored by Mervin Colver by 1965.
- 1966 → 1967-10-01Private saleGeorge Huguelypartial documentation
Washington, D.C. collector described as an active trader of notable Classic cars; held the car for just over a year.
- 1967-10-01 →Private saleTerence Adderleyfull documentation
Long-term custodian who had the car ACD Club Certified and achieved Senior Emeritus status with the CCCA in 1976; the car was featured in numerous reference publications during his ownership but kept largely unshown in recent decades.
Competition
- 1962Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA 10th Annual Meeting, Buck Hill FallsBest of Show
Judged top car at the Classic Car Club of America's tenth annual gathering in Pennsylvania following cosmetic restoration work completed at Nethercutt's shops.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1935ModificationDuesenberg
The Rollston body was removed from its original supercharged SJ chassis (J-527) and remounted on the present long-wheelbase chassis 2556 with engine J-550 by Duesenberg, following reported supercharger problems. Distinctive Rollston 'shovel' fenders with flared tips were also fitted at or around the time of this transfer.
The earliest known photograph of J-550 already shows the car wearing these fenders.
- 1958BodyworkJ.B. Nethercutt shops
Cosmetic restoration carried out at the celebrated Nethercutt shops in Los Angeles; the car was driven from its owner's base to the facility for the work.
Work was completed before the car's 1962 Best of Show appearance at the CCCA Annual Meeting.
- 1965RestorationMervin Colver
A more comprehensive restoration was completed by Mervin 'Beaver' Colver, a well-regarded restorer who served numerous prominent collectors of the period. The quality of the work has been noted as particularly durable.
- 2005Inspection
The car was formally evaluated and Certified by the ACD Club, with noted Duesenberg historian Fred Roe serving as reviewer. Roe recorded observations about the car's wartime condition in France.
ACD Club Certification achieved under this review.
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