1931 Duesenberg Model J Derham Tourster, long-wheelbase five-passenger touring
- Colour
- Soft yellow
Chassis J-448 is the fourth of eight authentic Duesenberg Model J Toursters bodied by the Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania — a five-passenger touring design on the long 153.5-inch wheelbase, conceived by Gordon Buehrig as his personal favourite among all his Duesenberg work. Delivered new in September 1931 to a New York and Paris-based arts figure, the car passed through several notable American collectors over subsequent decades. A mechanical restoration was carried out by specialist Joe Kaufmann, and a later comprehensive restoration by RM Auto Restoration produced the current yellow and green livery. The car retains its original numbered crankshaft and has accumulated an extensive concours record, including Best of Show and Best in Class victories at multiple major events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$3,415,000
- 1931-09-19 → 1942Factory deliveryWilliam M. Odomfull documentation
President of the Parsons School of Design and noted interior decorator with ties to Paris; at some point offered the car through J.S. Inskip before reclaiming it. Died in Manhattan in 1942.
- 1943 → 1943AuctionLester M. Bonhampartial documentation
Buffalo, New York resident who acquired the car from the Odom estate but held it for only one week before selling.
- 1943 →Private saleWilliam A. Lesterpartial documentation
Subsequently relocated to Southern California with the car.
- → 1960Acquisition unknownArt A. Flanderspartial documentation
Held the car for approximately ten years before selling it in 1960.
- 1960 → 1973Private saleDan Langpartial documentation
Prominent early Duesenberg enthusiast based in Racine, Wisconsin, who corresponded with leading historians. Kept the car, finished all in black, for the remainder of his life.
- 1973 →Private saleDr. Irwin Ginsbergpartial documentation
Noted collector from Buffalo, New York who commissioned specialist Joe Kaufmann for a mechanical restoration and had cosmetic work done in-house, adding side exhaust pipes. Showed the car for over a decade before selling.
- → 1996Acquisition unknownAndy Granatellipartial documentation
Famous for STP and Indianapolis racing involvement; kept this car alongside a second Duesenberg in a small personal collection until 1996.
- → 2001Private saleJohn Groendykepartial documentation
Well-regarded Duesenberg enthusiast from Enid, Oklahoma who acquired the car shortly after 1996.
- 2001 →Private saleCurrent ownersfull documentation
Prominent collectors who have earned multiple Pebble Beach Best of Show awards; commissioned a full restoration by RM Auto Restoration, resulting in a yellow and green livery. Car holds ACD Club Category 1 Certification and retains its original numbered crankshaft.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDana Bullockpartial documentation
One of several brief custodians in Southern California following Lester's ownership.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJohn Mozartpartial documentation
Described as a respected collector to whom Ginsberg sold the car.
Competition
- 19831983 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceDriver: Dr. Irwin GinsbergBest of Show
Victory was achieved with an Isotta Fraschini, not J-448; noted here as context for Ginsberg's standing as a concours competitor during his ownership of this car.
- 20052005 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic
Current owners drove J-448 on the inaugural running of this touring event.
- 2011Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club National Reunion2011 Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club National ReunionBest Duesenberg and Best of Show
First major concours victory following the RM Auto Restoration.
- 20122012 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
- 20122012 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest in Class; nominated for Best of Show
- 20132013 Concours d'Elegance of AmericaAmerican Best of Show
- 20142014 Stan Hywet ConcoursBest of Show
- —Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceAmelia Award
Appearance following a freshening that included mechanical sorting, chrome replating, and new soft top and carpets; date not specified beyond being after the 2014 concours season.
- —Concours d'Elegance of America
A subsequent appearance at this event following the Amelia Award showing; no result stated.
Maintenance & restoration
- —MechanicalJoe Kaufmann
Mechanical restoration carried out by Joe Kaufmann, known as 'Dr. Duesenberg'; cosmetic work including fitment of side exhaust pipes as used on supercharged Model Js was handled separately by the owner's own team in New York.
Commissioned by Dr. Irwin Ginsberg; precise date not recorded in the prose.
- —RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Comprehensive restoration by RM Auto Restoration, during which the car received its current livery of pale yellow with green leather. Technicians found the original body timber and aluminium coachwork in sound condition and preserved them throughout the process.
Commissioned by the current owners after approximately a decade of showing the car in its prior state; precise year not stated but work was completed before the 2011 concours season.
- —Service
Substantial freshening encompassing a mechanical sort, re-plating of all chrome trim, and replacement of the hood and carpeting.
Carried out after the main concours campaign; precise year not stated.
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