Legends go to the ages and are not easily find , but that did n’t stop two generation of entrepreuners from try , as seen in the 1960s and 1970sDuesenbergconcept cars .
The Duesenberg Model J was the mightiest of America ’s smashing 1930s Classics . Pioneer self-propelling diary keeper Ken Purdy once say it " will live as long as military personnel worship sweetheart and force on rack . "
Still , there are those who ca n’t resist endeavor to improve on a legend , particularly when they give birth the same name . That , in a nutshell , explain why the only two attack at a modern Duesenberg – at least so far – have been made by posterity of Brother Fred and August Duesenberg , creators of the immortal J.
The first endeavor began in 1964 , when Augie ’s son Fred A. " Fritz " Duesenberg step down as chief engine engineer for the Labeco examination - equipment company to join forces with one Milo N. Record , a sales and promotion specialiser at Goodyear .
The impulse for their partnership was none other than Virgil Exner , who had just been ousted as styling chief at Chrysler . As Virgil Exner , Jr. later recounted inSpecial Interest Autosmagazine : " My pop was [ then ] in rig - retirement . He ’d done a routine of designs for Esquire [ in late 1963 , interpreting ] how some of the classics … might seem in the modern era . "
Of Exner ’s four " contemporary continuations , " only an updated 1934 Packard move unbuilt . His modernised Mercer idea was translated into the one - off 1966 Mercer - Cobra , while his Stutz speculation led right away to the trio of Pontiac - based Stutz Blackhawk example that sold in tiny numbers from 1970 to the mid-1980s .
But , of track , it was Exner ’s latter - 24-hour interval Duesenberg that interested Fritz – and Texas tangible - the three estates baron Fred J. McManis , Jr. With dream of elicit at least $ 5 million in begin - up monetary resource , Fritz formed a new Duesenberg Corporation in Indianapolis , where his founder and uncle had built their towering machine 30 age before . Fritz installed himself as chairman and McManis as President of the United States .
regain info about the Duesenberg Model D concept machine on the next pageboy .
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Duesenberg Model D
The Duesenberg Model D conception car was the one and only cable car built by the 1960s Duesenberg Corporation . It had been started by Fritz Duesenberg , son of one of the original Duesenberg founders , with material - estate king Fred J. McManis , Jr. as president .
Their initial vision was a $ 10,000 ace - luxury sedan on a 120 - inch wheelbase , but that soon grew into an even costlier railroad car with a 132 - inch chassis and , briefly , an aluminium V-8 with more than 500 three-dimensional inches and 300horsepower .
direct yearly book was variously quoted at between 200 and 1,000 units by sources straddle from theWall Street Journalto monthly " buff " magazines . Moreover , as Fritz told Car Life ’s Ed Janicki : " We design no yearly changes [ though ] we might study a variety or modification after 10 years . With this Mary Leontyne Price , you could n’t deal [ one ] and then obsolete it in two eld . "
After pick out a final excogitation from 15 working sketches submitted by the Exners , Fritz okayed a image of what came to be called the Duesenberg Model D. Construction was entrusted to the famed Ghia works in Italy – logical , as Ghia had built most of the older Exner ’s Chrysler show - railway car designs of the Fifties .
technology work became a joint effort between Dale Cosper , a veteran of the original Auburn - Cord - Duesenberg concern , and Paul Farago , fresh from birthing the Chrysler - powered Dual - Ghia . But there was never any rush to completion , because financing was slow and hard to come by . In fact , hope of attract young money prompted the image ’s first public showing , which did n’t come until the saltation of 1966 .
Like its sacred forebears , the new Model D had rarified proportions : It was a four - door brougham sedan chair measure out 137.5 inches between wheel marrow and 245 inch overall . The announced Leontyne Price was a rarefied $ 19,500 , but includedautomatic transmission(Chrysler TorqueFlite ) , automatonlike clime control , all - disk brakes ( big Airheart units ) , torsion - bar frontsuspension , chrome wire wheels , and power everything .
Per Duesenberg tradition , back seaters could scrutinize their own speedometer and clock ; they also enjoy a freestanding radio , fold - out writing tables , even a TV and bar . Interior trim was top - grade leather with solid reddish brown accents .
The exterior blended nostalgic elements – razor - edge roof , center - open doors , grapple - shaped rack openings – with trendy hooey like hidden headlamps . With 350 horsepower from a bloodline 440 Chrysler V-8 ( the 426 Hemi was considered but rejected , as was all - independent suspension ) , the Model D had right performance for a 5,700 - pound biggie .
But this first modern Duesenberg never depart any further . Though plans were underway for limousine and four - room access convertible model , wide-eyed start - up of sedan production postulate $ 2.5 million , and the money was nowhere to be found .
So , after a few month in the calcium light , Duesenberg Corporation faded away , which was a real shame . According to the few who ’ve push back it , the Model D handle well for its size and had all the luxury anyone could need .
But the likely demand for such a pricy " retro " car in 1966 was tiny if not non - real , and the concept itself was probably flawed . AsCar and Driverlater imagine , the Model D seemed the " perfect 1934 dreaming car . … [ Fred and Augie Duesenberg ] would have observe up with the time . "
One more Duesenberg conception was come in in the late 1970s , which you’re able to learn about on the next pageboy .
1980 Duesenberg
The second , and less ambitious , Duesenberg revival endeavor begin in 1976 and was led by Harlan and Kenneth Duesenberg , grand nephews of original society founders Fred and Augie Duesenberg . It culminated in the 1980 Duesenberg .
After constitute a new Duesenberg Brothers Company , the pair hired Robert Peterson of Chicago ’s famed Lehmann - Peterson limousine mold to orchestrate another " modern Duesenberg . " The result appear three year later as petty more than a customized Cadillac .
tycoon come from a inventory 425 - cubic - inchfuel - injectedV-8 with 195 HP . The physical body was Cadillac ’s too , though with a unparalleled 133 - inch wheelbase halfway between that of the then - current DeVille saloon and Fleetwood limo .
Though its purport was applaudable , this motorcar was a very pale reminder of the renowned thirties Model J. At least price kept with Duesenberg tradition : an astronomical $ 100,000 .
But styling was box-shaped , slab - sided , expectant - handed yet bland . In front , for representative , were stacked quad headlight outboard of obscure drive lights astride a dumpy straightforward grille that could have make out off a late-1970s Lincoln . The capper was a garish " bow - tie " front bumper that looked like a shaggy-coated moustache .
Harlan and Kenneth planned to build their Duesenberg one order at a time , selling unmediated from a small plant in the Chicago suburban area of Mundelein ( the intended location was later changed to Evanston , Illinois ) . But , as happened with the first revival endeavor in the 1960s , store ran out after a single prototype was build . That automobile survives today , as does the Model D of the sixties .
Ironically , the 1980 Duesenberg was partly motivated by the brothers ' desire to make up for the stillborn 1966 revitalisation that produced the Model D , thus restoring luster to the family name . Perhaps some next member of the clan will eventually win in produce a modern Duesenberg with the spirit and excellency of the great Model J.
