One of the America's earliest and most prestigious manufacturers was Duesenberg Motors and Automobile Company. With a reputation for building some of the best engine, chassis, and braking combinations to compete in the Indianapolis 500 dating back to the early 1920's, winning in 1922, 1924, 1925, and 1927 with many competitors were utilizing their equipment. To no surprise, this caught the attention of E.L. Cord of the Auburn Automobile Company, who would purchase Duesenberg Motors and Automobile Company in October 1925 to capitalize on its racing reputation and their engineering skillset to begin producing ultra high-end luxury cars. They were to be the biggest, fastest, and most expensive cars ever made from American soil. E.L. Cord wanted to compete against the world's ultra high-end luxury market against the likes of Rolls Royce, Isotta Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, and Hispano-Suiza as the world's greatest luxury automobile! Built to outclass, outrun, and outlast any other car on the road!
Now simply renamed Duesenberg, Inc., the company continued its focus on producing horsepower atop massive frameworks, allowing the elegant body designs to be completed by prominent coachbuilders such as Judkins, Derham, Murphy, Brunn, LeBaron, and many others. They prevailed in many ways, with only one tremendous obstacle, the Great Depression. The finished cost was upwards of $20,000, the equivalent of nearly $390,000 today! With the average annual household income in 1930 was $1,368, & unemployment at 18.3%, Duesenberg models were only for the ultra-wealthy, like celebrity owners Clark Gable, Howard Hughes, Elizabeth Arden, and Gary Cooper, along with foreign royalty and other elitists around the world. Even gangster Al Capone could not resist owning one! Sadly, due to the Great Depression, Duesenberg Inc. was forced to close its doors in 1937, with only 481 Model J's ever produced, of which some have been lost forever. It is said that approximately 78% remain in prominent collections today. All held proudly with mighty price tags!
When restoration expert and Harrah's Auto Museum curator, Richard Braund, decided to renew the Duesenberg brand in 1978, he did so with the same energy and effort E.L. Cord had intended. Based in Elroy, Wisconsin, he opened the doors to an exclusive production facility called Elite Heritage Motors to produce the Duesenberg II. Utilizing exacting measurements of the originals, along with a small group of skilled craftsmen, they would reproduce 6 legendary models of the most rare and beautiful Duesenberg's ever fashioned. Nearly every component would have to be hand-crafted, including the massive frame, from only the highest quality of materials. Only the drivetrain and suspension would be outsourced by utilizing Ford Motor Company components. After a meticulous effort, only 71 units would come from the Duesenberg II factory over a 20-year period, making them as equally exclusive as the originals!
In 1988, Duesenberg II retooled to produce the Murphy Sports Roadster, of which just 7 examples would be completed. Each one built to match the elegance and sophistication of the original, a masterpiece in craftsmanship that now possesses the utmost if safety, creature comforts, and a modern powertrain! This stunning example comes finished in an attractive two-tone Medium Blue Metallic and Silver Blue Metallic combination over supple Light Blue leather interior and matching Blue Haartz cloth convertible top. This 1989 Duesenberg II Murphy Roadster emulates the original to perfection! Our example was built for its original owner, race car driver and STP CEO Andy Granatelli. He ordered this car with a few personal requests, with the main feature being additional interior room. Andy was a large man and needed the extra space. Instead of changing the wheelbase or body dimensions, they managed to get the extra space needed by moving the seat back and shortening the steering column.
This gorgeous Duesenberg II is powered by a Ford 5.8L fuel-injected V8 engine and electronic overdrive transmission, complete with modern conveniences to include air conditioning, power windows, AM/FM/CD audio system, power steering, and power-assisted disc brakes! Additional features include the dual cowl lamps, authentic chrome bright work, chrome horns, fog lamps, side-mounted spare tires with accessory mirrors, machine-turned metal surfaces, Duesenberg Style instrumentation, steering wheel, floor-shifter, & park brake handle; disappearing convertible top, lockable golf bag door, rumble seat, and rear-mounted trunk. Our Murphy Roadster has driven only 2,846 miles since its completion in 1989 and comes complete with original brochures, literature, top unlocking tool, and letter from Duesenberg II historian Greg Grams.
The attention to detail is visible everywhere you look, and the quality of construction speaks for itself as to how everything fits together and closes tightly. Opportunities like this do not come around very often, and the statement a Duesenberg II exhibits on the road is like rolling art! Do not hesitate to call and visit more about adding it to your collection. Thanks as always for looking!
