The illustrious Model J Duesenberg requires little introduction. Suffice to say that it was the most powerful American production car of its era, with horsepower unequaled by any American car until the 1950s, and the ultimate in coachbuilt beauty and luxury. Among the roster of elite coachbuilders who bodied the Model J chassis was Willoughby of Utica, New York, an old-line firm very highly regarded for the rock-solid construction of their sedan, berline, and limousine coachwork, as well as for the superb finishes of their interiors.

According to the notes of ACD Club Duesenberg Historian Ray Wolff, J-368 was built in 1930. Notes from respected historian Fred Roe in the car's ACD Club Certification file indicate that the body was originally delivered with rear quarter windows. Historians agree that in the Classic Era, in fact likely very early in the car's life, the car was fitted with its attractive blind-quarter roofline and slanted windshield, giving it a rakish appearance that is almost unique among Willoughby bodies. At one point it also had skirted fenders of the type made available by Duesenberg in 1935, perhaps indicating the date of the "modernization."

J-368's earliest known owner was David A. Smart of Chicago, co-founder of Esquire and Coronet magazines, and one of the namesakes of the Windy City's Smart Museum of Art. Mr. Smart is believed to have owned the Model J in 1935; the following year it was recorded as being in inventory at the New York factory branch, as a Chicago car previously in Philadelphia. In 1937 it was acquired by Bret Morrison, the popular radio voice actor best-remembered as the longest-serving voice of The Shadow. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"

Morrison eventually sold J-368 to the early, revered collector D. Cameron Peck, from whom it passed to J.A. Reitzel of Evanston, Illinois; R.C. Battat of Newark, Ohio; and finally to Charles R. Dowling. Dowling sold J-368 in October 1963 to Bertram Cobb, a telephone installer from Toledo, who would become the Model J's longest-term owner and displayed it at Auburn in 1965.

In 1981 the car was acquired by prominent Duesenberg enthusiast, C.W. "Bill" Bocock of Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Bocock was an avid ACD Club and CCCA member, who owned examples of Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg but was perhaps most passionate about the latter. He would restore two Model Js and a display engine, taking pride in completing much of the work himself in his very fully equipped home shop; such was Mr. Bocock's engineering skills that he would custom-make his own tools if he felt that they could better do a job. Such was the quality of his work that to this day the ACD Club bestows the Bocock Award for the finest owner-restored car shown at their National Reunion.

Mr. Bocock spent a decade on the restoration of J-368, converting it back to the open-fender design and debuting it at the Reunion in 1991, where it received the Mayor's Trophy and tied for First Place Primary; it would eventually achieve Senior Emeritus status in ACD Club competition, and was Certified as a Category One Original Car. It was even more successful with the CCCA, earning no fewer than four perfect 100-point scores in winning its Primary, Senior, and Senior Premier honors – again, remarkable given that this was an "owner restoration!"

Mr. Bocock's estate eventually donated the Model J to a museum in 2002; after several years on exhibit there, it was sold to the late Richard Burdick for his own museum in San Marcos, Texas. The current owner acquired it from the Burdick stable in the spring of 2018 and has maintained it within his own distinguished collection, giving it the very best of care, including a mechanical sorting by specialist Josh Voss. Accordingly it is still a very beautifully presented automobile, with Mr. Bocock's workmanship holding up exceptionally well throughout. It is resplendent in a rich, subtly metallic pewter, with very dark blue fenders echoed in the leather roof covering and the color of the chassis. Particularly of note is the elaborate interior, specifically the rear compartment, which is finished in button-tufted blue cloth with a crystal reading light and push-button radio controls built into the center armrest, elaborate touches crafted by Mr. Bocock. Such opulence has ensured that the car is still capable of winning awards, including Best of Show at the Boston Cup in 2021. It was actually driven to that event by the owner!

This is among the most beautiful closed Duesenbergs recently offered, with an exceptional restoration whose enduring quality and superb presentation is testament to the abundant talents of renowned enthusiast Bill Bocock. It would be ideal for concours or the annual Duesenberg Tour, performing in either with equal aplomb.

Addendum:

Please note that this car is titled as a 1931