Beschreibung:

PROPERTY FROM THE PATRICK S. RYAN COLLECTION The ex-Doc Elsner and Rick Carroll 1933 DUESENBERG MODEL J TOURSTER COACHWORK BY DERHAM Chassis No. 2524 Engine No. J-504 'Envy green' with green leather interior Engine: straight-eight, twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, 420ci., 265bhp at 4,2000rpm; Gearbox: three-speed; Suspension: beam axle to front, live axle to rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs all round; Brakes: servo-assisted hydraulically operated drums all round. Left hand drive. The late automotive writer, Ken Purdy, once wrote, the man who had really arrived drove a Duesenberg. It cost him from 6,500 to 25,000 one-hundred-cent-dollars and it looked it . At the heart of that idea was the Model J Duesenberg's massive powerhouse of an engine, complex twin overhead camshafts that controlled four inclined valves, two inlet and two exhaust, per cylinder, displacing 420ci (6,882cc). The great five bearing crankshaft alone was reputed to weigh 150lbs. Even with the modest 5.2:1 compression ratio of the standard engine, the surge of power was awesome, thrusting a Phaeton, very completely equipped and no lightweight, from 10-80mph in top gear in 22 seconds and providing a maximum of 116mph. Matched to the engine was a very capable chassis, double dropped for a low center of gravity, provided with six sturdy cross-members. Endless care was lavished on details. The car is equipped with the 150mph speedometer, the combined clock and stop-watch altimeter, barometer and brake pressure dials, as well as the famous engine-driven timing box of planetary gears controlling lights to warn the driver to change the engine oil every 700 miles and to check the battery water every 1400 miles, along with other functions. Under E.L. Cord's management the Duesenberg brothers, Fred and August, had created the World's Finest Motor Car which they unveiled in December 1928 with unconcealed pride evident in their announcement: It is a monumental answer to America's insistent demand for the best that modern engineering and artistic ability can provide. Equally it is a tribute to the widely recognized genius of Fred S. Duesenberg, its designer, and E.L. Cord, its sponsor. These men, in one imaginative stroke, have snatched from the far future an automobile which is years ahead and therefore incomparably superior to any car which may be bought today. Typical of the great classic era cars, Duesenberg chassis were consigned to the established coachbuilders such as Derham, Dietrich, LeBaron, Rollston and Murphy. Initially many designs were rather conventional in style and lacking in individuality, including Derham, who produced a number of formal bodies such as town cars and limousines. Derham Body Co. was established back in 1887 in Rosemont, PA initially catering to the horseless carriage trade and in 1907 they turned to motor cars and were especially famous for catering to the needs of their wealthy Philadelphia clientele. In June of 1929 the famous body designer and stylist Gordon Buehrig was hired by Duesenberg as their chief designer. His designs were an instant success and have become renowned as some of the finest designs of the era. Although Buehrig's designs were available to be built by a coachbuilder of choice, in fact, the Tourster design was only built by Derham and remarkably just eight of these exquisite vehicles were made. The first example made was displayed at the Chicago Salon in 1930 and shortly afterwards was purchased by the Hollywood movie star Gary Cooper, who later traded it in for his new SSJ speedster. Features that make the Tourster so appealing (indeed several replicas today exist) and one of the most desirable Duesenberg designs of all time include its excellent proportions and flowing lines that continue without interruption from the leading edge of the front fenders and radiator shell to the rounded tail and rear fenders. Buehrig achieved an extremely low profile for the entire car by placing the rear seats a