In the 1930's the Model J Duesenberg was a trophy accessible only to the wealthiest clients from the United States and Europe. Mostly sold by the factory as a bare chassis, the cars were clothed with bodies from the finest coachbuilders.

A decade after production of the mighty J ceased, they were perceived as large, heavy, gas-hungry relics of a bygone era. Many were lost to the scrap drives of World War II. Those that survived were perceived as dinosaurs which often changed hands for less than a thousand dollars.

The Model J's specifications, performance and reputation, however, made it attractive even to postwar owners given that its 265 horsepower was still a hundred more than a contemporary Cadillac or Oldsmobile V-8. It was an opportunity for early collectors to acquire examples at minimal expense. For others it was an interesting and powerful basis for modification.

The Duesenberg Model J chassis 2522, engine J-462 is an example of the creat