1940 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Car Cabriolet by Rollson

481 examples of the Model J and Model SJ combined had been constructed which left few options for acquiring an example. A wealthy German artist, named Rudolf Bauer, commissioned one to be constructed, even though the company had gone out of business. A demonstration chassis was in the possession of Felz Motors though it had a damaged cylinder and a LeBaron body. Used car company, Felz Motors, of Chicago had purchased most of the spare chassis when the company folded. Augie Duesenberg purchased the chassis back and began the project to Bauer’s specifications.

Rudolf Bauer, a noted abstract German artist (who had been arrested by the Gestapo for producing ‘degenerate’ art) had fled Germany just before the out break of WW II. He proclaimed that he wanted the longest car in the world, and penned the design himself, emphasizing the length using tricks such as removing the running boards, and moving the side mount spare tires (both) to the back, and considerably lengthening the chassis. He even had the iconic hood mascot enlarged. He originally commissioned the German based coachbuilder, Erdmann & Rossi to construct the body. The chassis was prepared for shipping and sent to NY to be loaded on a ship that would take it to Germany. Just before the vehicle was loaded onto the ship, Bauer had a change of heart due to the demise of the conditions in Europe. The car was then sent to Rollson (after going under, Rollston dropped the t and re-opened) to be bodied. It was delivered in April 1940, at a total cost of just under $21,000, a huge sum for the day.

The 32 valve, dual-overhead-camshaft eight-cylinder engine was capable of producing 265 horsepower. The 6.9-liter power-plant was designed by Fred Duesenberg and constructed by the Lycoming engineer builder. A supercharger was available increasing horsepower even further. A small number of the Model J’s were outfitted with the supercharged, they became known as the Model SJ. A few SJ’s were modified further through the use of a ram-horn intake which boosted horsepower to an astonishing 400. These very rare examples were dubbed the Model SSJ. A four-speed gearbox was initially offered but was unable to handle the engine’s power. It was later replaced with a 3-speed gearbox that was unsynchronized. Ultimately, the Model J was difficult to drive and control due to its size and its horsepower.
Throughout the production life span of the Model J, only 481 examples were produced, falling well short of the initial estimated production figures. Part of the reason was the price tag and the economical turmoil the country was facing. The World War’s and the Great Depression were difficult times for many companies and it was hard to gauge the impact it would have on the sales of the vehicles at the time.

The Model J vehicles were purchased by the rich and the famous. The Model J was truly a paragon that defined style, class, performance, and quality. Their low production figures and the various body-styles produced by coachbuilders ensure their exclusivity and their ability to fetch top dollar even in modern times. It is not uncommon to see a Model J sold at auction for more than a million dollars.

The featured 1940 Duesenberg Model SJ Rollson Cabriolet sold at RM’s January 2007 auction in Phoenix for $2,805,000,