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Duesenberg® - The World’s Finest Motor Car
The Duesenberg brothers, Fred and Augie, built a world-wide reputation for engineering excellence and innovation through their success in creating race engines and cars. They built the race cars that won the French Grand Prix in 1921 (the first American car to do so) and the Indy 500 in 1924, 1925 and 1927. They also set the world speed records on land (1920, 1935) and sea (1915). Their first production car, the Duesenberg® Model A, introduced in 1921, was the first passenger car to have all-around hydraulic brakes and a straight 8 engine as standard features. The Model A was one of the highest quality automobiles of its time.
In 1926 Duesenberg Inc. was formed as a subsidiary of Auburn Motors, with the sole mission of producing the finest car in the world in terms of style, performance, and luxury. E.L. Cord's stated goal was to"...build the world's best automobile, a car with superlative acceleration, speed and hill climbing ability, pleasant to drive and safe, with maximum reliability and exceptionally long life, secured by the finest materials and workmanship."
The result was the Duesenberg® Model J, with a 6.9 liter twin overhead camshaft, 32 valve, straight 8 engine that produced 265 bhp and 116 mph. With all-around hydraulic brakes, and engine-driven filtered pressure lubrication system, and a massive frame with six tubular cross members, the Model J was a masterpiece of engineering innovation. Each car received a custom body by leading coach builders, governed by the Duesenberg® chief of design, Gordon Buehrig, and was a statement of the buyer's individual sense of luxury.
With the world-wide Depression closely following the Model J's introduction in 1929, the market for the cars was limited to the very wealthy - less than 485 cars were sold when production stopped in 1937. The Duesenberg® Model J was the finest and most expensive car in the world. Since the last Duesenberg® was delivered 60 years ago, the value of the original cars has risen to the million dollar range and the mystique of this rare and beautiful work of automotive art has continued to make the name Duesenberg® the most recognized for the ultimate in quality and value.
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