The Duesenberg Model J, unveiled at the New York Auto Salon in December 1928, was the most powerful and expensive American car of its era. Its straight-eight engine with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder produced 265 horsepower — several times what most cars had — and the supercharged SJ made even more. Owned by movie stars, royalty and industrialists, the Model J remains one of the most valuable classic cars in the world. Many say the slang word “doozy” comes from Duesenberg, though its true origin is debated.

At a glance
Unveiled December 1928, New York
Engine 6.9-litre straight-eight, DOHC, 32 valves
Power 265 hp (J); about 320 hp (supercharged SJ)
Built About 480 Model J/SJ chassis
Owner E.L. Cord’s Cord Corporation

The Duesenberg brothers

Fred and August Duesenberg, German-born and raised in Iowa, were self-taught engineers who built racing cars. A Duesenberg won the 1921 French Grand Prix — the first American car to win a major European Grand Prix — and Duesenbergs won the Indianapolis 500 several times in the 1920s.

E.L. Cord’s vision

In 1926 Errett Lobban Cord, who also owned Auburn and later Cord, bought Duesenberg and asked Fred to build the finest car in the world. The Model J was the result.

Performance and price

The Model J was sold as a chassis, and buyers commissioned bodies from coachbuilders. The complete cars were extraordinarily expensive during the Depression. With a claimed top speed well over 100 mph, they were faster than almost anything else on the road.

Owners

Model J owners included Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable and Gary Cooper, wealthy industrialists and European royalty. Advertising showed wealthy people with the simple line, “He drives a Duesenberg.”

The end

The Depression, Fred Duesenberg’s death in a 1932 car accident and the collapse of Cord’s business empire ended production in 1937.

“It’s a doozy”

The idea that “doozy” comes from Duesenberg is popular, but word historians note that “doozy” (and “daisy”) appear in print before the Model J. The Duesenberg may have helped popularize it.

See one

Duesenbergs are stars of concours like Pebble Beach. Read about America’s other great classics: Packard and Pierce-Arrow.