BUY THIS CAR!!! Sixty-third in a series of classic vehicles, captured 9/21/08, at the beautiful Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance, held annually at the beautiful Trump National Golf Club on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula in overpopulated Southern California. For more information on this event, see my posting for 9/28/08. From what I read at the show, this is one of eight of this particular model in existence. In 1925, Errett Lobban Cord added the Duesenberg Motors Company to his rapidly growing enterprise, the Auburn Automobile Company. Cord's vision was to create an automobile that would surpass the great marques: Cadillac, Isotta Fraschini, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, and Hispano-Suiza. He presented Fred Duesenberg with the opportunity to create the greatest car in the world, and the result was the Model J. The Duesenberg J was the most powerful American car before World War II. Its 420-cid straight eight with dual-overhead cams and four valves per cylinder put out 265 horsepower. In 1929, the first year of Model J production, 125 horsepower was about the most that could be had in an American car. Top speed for a light-bodied Duesenberg J was 116 mph. The Deusenberg was a perennial winner at Indianapolis. The supercharged SJ models hit an estimated 140mph in third gear, 104mph in second gear. Monitoring the magnificent engine was an impressive instrument panel that included the usual gauges plus tachometer, stopwatch, altimeter, and brake-pressure gauge. A mechanical "computer" activated the automatic chassis lubrication every 75 miles, and a dashboard light confirmed it. Warning lights signaled the need for oil changes and battery maintenance. The Duesenberg was a favorite of screen icons such as Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Greta Garbo. The basic model went for around $13,500, top of the line for about $25,000. Sounds cheap now, but you could buy a good home back then for the same price. Source: howstuffworks.com; sportscarmarket.com I'm disappointed that in my haste and anxiety to capture all facets of this beautiful treasure, I took fifteen shots of separate parts of the auto, but failed to get in a full side or three-quarter front view pic. I didn't realize the blunder until I got home and checked out the photos. It will live with me for the rest of my days. As always, better viewed full size. Thankx for looking in, and for all positive and uncritical comments.