1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan (coachwork by Franay)
- Engine
- 420 cu. in. DOHC inline eight-cylinder, four valves per cylinder, single updraft carburetor, 265 bhp at 4,250 rpm
- Colour
- Black
Chassis 2465 is a long-wheelbase Duesenberg Model J fitted with an elegant dual-windscreen convertible sedan body by Carrosserie Franay of Levallois-Perret, exhibited at the 1931 Paris Salon before being delivered to Queen Maria of Yugoslavia. The car retains its original engine, body, and chassis, and was updated early in its life with pontoon-style fenders. After passing through South American and American ownership, it received an extensive restoration in 1996 and subsequently collected awards at several prestigious concours events, including a second-in-class finish at the 2005 Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza.
Ownership
- 2024-01-25Auction saleEstimate US$2,000,000 – US$3,000,000
- 1931 →Private saleQueen Maria of Yugoslaviapartial documentation
Car was displayed at the 1931 Paris Salon and subsequently delivered to the Queen; her Lady of Honor later wrote to express royal satisfaction with the vehicle's high-speed stability, comfort, and elegance.
- 1977 → 1995Acquisition unknownCharles Goodmanpartial documentation
Long-term custodian; an extensive restoration was completed in 1996, shortly after his ownership ended.
- 2002 →Acquisition unknownCurrent custodianpartial documentation
Owner for more than two decades; entered the car at Villa d'Este in 2005 and has maintained it in concours condition.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAntonio Chopiteapartial documentation
Lima, Peru-based owner who kept the car in Paris; part of a family group that owned multiple Duesenbergs.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownParisian brewerpartial documentation
Received the car from Chopitea; no further details recorded.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownE. Romerezpartial documentation
New York City resident who brought the car to the United States.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMr. Warrinerpartial documentation
Maryland-based owner; the pontoon-style fenders and floating running boards may have been fitted during this ownership, though a historian has suggested the modification predates the car's US arrival.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownW.E. Howellpartial documentation
Oklahoma-based owner; one of several sequential American custodians.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMr. Schreiberpartial documentation
New Jersey-based owner.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEarl Clarkepartial documentation
Pennsylvania-based owner.
Competition
- 19311931 Paris Salon
Car was exhibited as part of a two-car Duesenberg display arranged by E.Z. Sadovich of Motor Deluxe.
- 19971997 Meadowbrook ConcoursMeadowbrook Memorial Trophy
Trophy awarded at the Meadowbrook Concours; part of the mid-to-late-1990s show campaign.
- 20052005 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este2nd in class
Car returned to Europe for the event under current ownership.
- —Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center1st in Pre-War Touring Class
Part of the show circuit following restoration completion in 1996.
- —Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Annual Experience, Hickory Corners1st in class
One of several concours appearances in the period following the 1996 restoration.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1996Restoration
Extensive restoration completed, returning the car to a high concours standard in preparation for the show circuit.
Undertaken following Charles Goodman's ownership; the car subsequently won awards at multiple concours events in 1997.
- —Modification
Original sweeping fenders replaced with pontoon-style units and floating running boards; the precise date is disputed — one source attributes the change to the Warriner ownership period while historian Fred Roe argues it occurred before the car reached the US.
The modification is considered early in the car's life regardless of exact timing.
- —ServiceStraight-Eight
Recent mechanical check carried out to confirm the car's overall condition prior to the auction offering.
Workshop is based in Detroit.
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