A Duesenberg fit for a King

fergnation · 08-15-08, 10:37

First a brief history of this car. This is a 1929 Duesenburg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton. It is the jewel in a very impressive car collection. This car has traveled the country for the past couple of years racking up award after award. I have probably spent atleast 100 hours on this car since March. Last August, this car was entered in the Pebble Beach Concours D'elegance car show. This year it has traveled to four different shows including Concours D'elegance shows in Conn. and Florida. (I was a little bit disapointed in not having a car at Pebble Beach this year). In all four car shows this year, the Duesenberg has won Best of Show. I would love to take credit for this and brag about the fact that my detailing made the difference, but I can't. The restoration on this car is flawless. Every inch of this car is also near flawless. But I still spend a ton of time on this car due to the travels and car shows. Also, did I mention that the owner actually drives it around town.

At the time, these cars sold for over $20,000. Which would be worth over a million dollars in today's value. Only the rich could afford Duesenbergs considering a family sedan averaged around $500. This particular car is a one of a kind. It was driven by Elvis Presley in the movie Spinout. This King wrecked the car pulling it onto the trailer. He loved the car so much that he offered to buy it with some cash and one of his Cadilacs. But the owner didn't sell it.

This car has won many "Peoples Choice" awards in Southern California to go along with it's Best of Show awards. With the documented history that goes along with this car and the fact that it is almost perfect, the value of this car is hard to guess. Taking into consideration the market of Duesenbergs (much sought after), they have estimated this car to be worth around 3 million. Atleast that is what they might think it would go for in an auction. The owner had three 1929's and the least of these three went for 1.3 million in the RM auction.

Like I said, the restoration should get all of the credit. I just make sure it looks like it should. This is after I drove it to the gas station to fill it up. Knowing the value of this car and the fact it doesn't have turn signals and brake lights, made me a wee bit nervous.

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I will shut up now and just let you look. I will tell you that I try not to use very many products on it. The chrome is all stream cleaned. Gummi Phledge is used on the trim. I put P21S 100% on the paint. Other than that, I use the super soft MF's and just wipe a lot. After PB last year, I did do a small polish job to clear away any swirls. Unfortunatly I don't get to travel with the car so it get wipped down by someone other than I. Plus the car gets driven.

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blk45 · 08-15-08, 10:57

Gorgeous car! Great resto and detail work.

kompressornsc · 08-16-08, 03:25

Very nice! I saw this car in person last weekend (along with all of the others). They are immaculate. I don't know how Fergnation keeps up with all of them. On the lower floor of the garage, I think I counted two cars that weren't black?

You guys would kill to work on the cars he gets to.

I just did a quick calculation walking around the garages, and I'm guessing a mid 8-figure collection? Everything from very early cars (what was the little carriage like car?), to classics, to 2 cars with over 1000 horsepower. Probably the most impressive collection I've seen.

Pats300zx · 08-16-08, 03:38

Awesome car. It must be a thrill to work on it.

bwalker25 · 08-16-08, 05:24

very nice work, and a very impressive car there!

Accumulator · 08-16-08, 12:07

fergnation- WOW, that must be a treat to work on! Great job, thanks for sharing it with us. Keeping it flawless is a bit of a challenge, huh?

You drove it..how'd it shift..did you have to double-clutch the upshifts?

fergnation · 08-16-08, 02:32

BLK45- thanks man

Scott- Sorry I missed you on Sunday. I was so tired from getting the cars ready for the party I had to get out of there. Thanks for the nice comments. I am glad you got to see the collection. 1908 Caddy was the carriage car. They estimate what is at the house close to twenty mil. But remember there are another 15 to 20 cars that are not there. I am kind of bummed I couldn't give you the grand tour. Come over sometime and I can take you out in some of them.

Pat- Yea, I have the best job in the world. 7 days a week and sixty hours but I love every second.

BWalker- thanks I appreciate it.

Accumulator- Thanks. Yea, it is a bit of a challenge since the car gets driven but it usually is just a wipe down. God bless silver. Unfortunatly almost the whole collection is black. It shifts like any other clutch, just a little bit rough. There is a curvy road I have to take and it sure does sway a lot. Again, thanks for the compliment.

Accumulator · 08-17-08, 08:38

fergnation- Thanks for the response. I'm always sorta surprised when cars of that vintage drive "normally", some of 'em are a real challenge.

And yeah, it sounds like the collection as a whole must be quite challenging for you.

jfsully · 08-17-08, 06:24

fergnation:

Gorgeous car...BTW I noticed the Lucas on the floor....I thought I was the only person that liked that product?

lt1_man · 08-17-08, 08:03

What a beautiful car!

-Brandon

TH0001 · 08-18-08, 01:54

the original exotic. Top speed 140 when others couldn't top 55!!! AWESOME!

Todd

Scottwax · 08-18-08, 02:04

Absolutely beautiful! Don't be so modest, your attention to detail does make a difference.

Duesenberg's are amazing cars, I saw Jay Leno's back in 2004 when I was invited out to Meguiars (Aurora40, Superior Fine and rjstaff were there too) and those Duesenbergs are even more stunning in person-however, I don't think they shined like the one you posted.