1930 Duesenberg Model J Imperial Cabriolet by Hibbard & Darrin
- Colour
- Black and pewter two-tone
Duesenberg Model J chassis J-254, bodied by Parisian coachbuilders Hibbard & Darrin as an Imperial Cabriolet using their patented all-aluminium Silentlyte construction, was acquired by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies after he reportedly saw it at the 1930 Paris Auto Salon. Extensively travelled worldwide in their company, the car later passed through several noted enthusiasts before a lengthy tenure with celebrated Duesenberg specialist Joe Kaufmann, who fully restored it and drove it widely. Cosmetically refinished in black and pewter prior to 2003, it is now offered after more than fifteen years off the show circuit.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$995,000
- 1930 →Private saleWilliam Randolph Hearst and Marion Daviespartial documentation
Hearst reportedly spotted the car at the 1930 Paris Auto Salon and arranged its purchase for Davies; it arrived in California shortly after and was subsequently modified by coachbuilder J. Gerald Kirchhoff to correct door latch issues and suit the owners' preferences.
- 1949 → 1950Private saleW.D. Lehmanpartial documentation
San Diego-based owner who held the car for approximately one year before selling it on.
- → 1949Acquisition unknownSailor, identity unknownpartial documentation
First recorded owner after Hearst and Davies; regularly drove the car coast to coast before selling it in 1949.
- 1950 → 1954Private saleRobert E. Dillerpartial documentation
San Francisco owner who sold the car to Ray Wolff in 1954 for $500.
- 1954 →Private saleRay Wolffpartial documentation
Longtime Duesenberg historian for the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club; passed the car to his friend Joe Kaufmann.
- → 1995Private saleJerry J. Moorepartial documentation
Prominent Duesenberg collector; the car served as a highlight of his extensive collection until its sale in 1995.
- 1995 →Private saleBob Deanpartial documentation
Louisiana-based buyer who purchased the car from the Moore collection in 1995.
- → 2003Acquisition unknownMidwestern collection, identity unknownpartial documentation
During this ownership the car received a cosmetic refinish in black and pewter with a complementary interior.
- 2003 →Private saleMr. Scottpartial documentation
Current consignor; acquired the car in 2003 and has kept it off the show circuit for roughly 15 years.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJoe Kaufmannpartial documentation
Renowned Model J specialist known as 'The Duesenberg Doctor'; fully restored the car and drove it extensively, at times using it to tow a Duesenberg-powered racing vehicle. Held it longer than any other Model J he owned. Sold it in the early 1980s.
- Date unknownPrivate saleGene Grengspartial documentation
Eau Claire, Wisconsin enthusiast who acquired the car from Kaufmann in the early 1980s and enjoyed it for several years before selling.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1930RepairJ. Gerald Kirchhoff
Following arrival in California, the body was found to flex in cornering, causing a rear door to fly open. Coachbuilder J. Gerald Kirchhoff rebuilt the doors and reinforced their latches. Simultaneously, the body was lightly modified to suit the new owner: the roof and centre door pillars were fixed in place, a removable vision panel was fitted to the rear quarters, and a large luggage trunk was added.
Work commissioned by Hearst after the car nearly ejected him during an early test drive.
- —RestorationJoe Kaufmann
Joe Kaufmann performed a thorough, expert full restoration of the car during his ownership, after which it was used for regular driving.
Kaufmann was widely regarded as one of the foremost Model J specialists; he personally maintained or restored more than 75 Duesenbergs over a six-decade career.
- —Bodywork
The car received a cosmetic refinish in its current black and pewter colour scheme with a period-sympathetic interior, completed sometime before 2003 while the car was in a Midwestern collection.
The refinish preceded the 2003 acquisition by Mr. Scott by several years according to the catalogue.
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