RALLYCROSS Blog

Duesenberg Ii

Year: 1999 Model: Phaeton Condition: Replica/#1-Reserve: Undisclosed

Selling price:

$176,000 Average selling price: N/A

While nickel-era Stutz sedans don't change owners very often, thus making it a little difficult to accurately gauge the market for them, we can tell you that a 1927 Stutz AA sedan with the same Vertical Eight engine was recently listed in Hemmings Motor News at more than $87,000, and a 1929 dual cowl phaeton was asking $295,000. So this older restoration with terrific trim constituted, with no exaggeration whatsoever, a stunningly good buy. We were looking it over, trying to guesstimate how frantic the bidding would be for this relic just up Interstate 69 from Indianapolis. It was a true legend, on the cheap in a buyer's paradise.

We confess to being less than fully worldly about these cars, but it was one of the final two Duesenberg I Is delivered by the short-lived Duesenberg Motors, as Elite Heritage of Elroy, Wisconsin, called it when it owned the Duesenberg name for a time. To the eye, it's a very convincing replica of an SJ, using a Ford 351 V-8 and a Twin I-beam front end, of all things. This one was claimed as having actual Duesenberg parts, including a fuel cap and steering wheel obtained through noted restorer and historian Randy Ema. The disappearing top was said to be fully functional. It was interesting to see this re-creation juxtaposed against the mother earth of great Indiana cars, and indeed, it drew powerfully.