Chassis No. 2592
Engine No. J-562

The New York Auto Show on 1 December 1928, marked a momentous occasion in motoring history, as E.L. Cord's latest acquisition, Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Co., unveiled the show-stopping Model J. This spectacular new automobile was a tour de force of engineering, boasting a 420 cu-in straight eight designed by Fred Duesenberg himself, built by Cord subsidiary Lycoming. The race-bred engine had twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, aluminum connecting rods, and a crankshaft balanced with liquid mercury producing an astonishing 265 horsepower in naturally aspirated form—or a mighty 320 horsepower with the optional supercharger in place. Astounding figures for 1928! The chassis was similarly over-engineered with revolutionary power from hydraulic drum brakes and fully automatic chassis lubrication operating every 30-60 miles. The Model J was by far the fastest, most exclusive, and most expensive car in America, and could vanquish virtually anything that came its way.

The entry price of nearly $10,000 for a chassis alone and worsening economic conditions meant that despite the hype, sales topped off at just 481 cars in total—a far cry from E.L. Cord's ambitious goal of 500 vehicles per year.

One thing Duesenberg initially lacked compared to competitors like Packard and Cadillac was an in-house body shop. Bodies by independent firms including LeBaron, Murphy, Judkins and others were readily available, but an in-house body shop meant greater quality control, rapid deliveries, and a potentially lucrative profit center. It also provided Chief Stylist Gordon Buehrig an outlet for his superb work. Sales Manager Harold Ames turned to Union City Body Company—an established partner of Auburn and Cord—to produce bodies for Duesenberg under the LaGrande label, chosen as a deliberate play on LeBaron's prestigious reputation.

As President of Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, Lucius “Lu” B. Manning had at his disposal a company car for demonstration to important clients. He specified his car be fitted with a glamorous “sweep panel” dual-cowl phaeton body, designed by Gordon Buehrig and built under the LaGrande label by Union City Body. Buehrig's take on the shape looked much cleaner than earlier LeBaron versions of this design, especially when paired with the long-wheelbase chassis, as Mr. Manning's car was so specified.

Occasionally, Duesenberg needed to deliver a chassis to important clients in short order, and Manning's car would sometimes be pressed into service. His favored dual-cowl Phaeton body was removed and refitted to different chassis, and historians believe that Lu Manning's Phaeton body was used on four different Model Js, including this Duesenberg Model J, chassis 2592, engine number J-562.

For approximately a year, Mr. Manning drove 2592/J-562, fitted with 'his' LaGrande body in and around Cord Corporation's home city of Chicago. Eventually, in 1935, an order for a Duesenberg came through, and Manning allowed his chassis to be taken for sale where it was refurbished and re-bodied as a Willoughby Berline for delivery to its new owner.

Chassis 2592/J-562 would eventually come into the ownership of A.T. O'Neill, who removed the Willoughby body and sold the Lucius Manning chassis to Hubert Fischer, a well-known collector from Minnesota. A champion of the Duesenberg marque, Fischer owned several Model Js during his long involvement in the hobby. Sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s and aware of the chassis' provenance, Fischer commissioned the highly regarded Harold Orchard of California to recreate the original LaGrande body as it wore during Lucius Manning's ownership. Chassis 2592/J-562 would remain with the Fischer family for many years, during which time it was regularly shown at various Midwestern concours events.

Eventually, Hubert Fischer sold the car to fellow enthusiast Gerry Shaw of Connecticut. It was Mr. Shaw who commissioned the cosmetic restoration it wears today, finishing it to a very high standard in this splendid and highly distinctive livery of Cobalt Blue with Khaki sweep panels over a rich biscuit-tan interior. It is believed that during this time, the skirted front fenders and 17-inch wheels were fitted to reflect how the car would have been equipped during Lucius Manning's time, features consistent with later production Model Js. Shaw entrusted the car to well-known Duesenberg specialist Brian Joseph's Classic & Exotic Service, in Troy, Michigan, for an engine rebuild and installation of a Leo Gephardt reproduction supercharger, upgrading the engine to ultimate “SJ” specifications.

Mr. Shaw was a long-term custodian of 2592, eventually selling it in the Fall of 2013 to fellow collector Sonny Abagnale, who presented the Duesenberg at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in 2014 and took home the coveted Best of Show trophy, a testament to the enduring elegance of its design, its magnificent restoration, and fascinating provenance. The LaGrande Phaeton would pass through the hands of various collectors. In 2021 it was acquired by an East Coast-based enthusiast who returned it to Brian Joseph's former shop, now known as Straight Eight, LLC (run by Joseph's protégé Tim Purrier), for a valve job and thorough servicing. Now, as a centerpiece of the impressive Bill & Patti Spurling Collection, it represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a most striking and distinctive Duesenberg Model J.

Thanks to the dedication of its past custodians, the famous Lucius Manning Model J is back on form in the glamorous specification which Duesenberg's top man enjoyed on a daily basis. The faithfully crafted coachwork is in fine order, dressed in period-correct accessories for the ultimate visual impact. It is noted that the stampings on the chassis, firewall, and engine all correspond with production records published by marque historians, showing this as having matching-numbers mechanicals.

Looking as splendid as ever, 2592 would surely be a welcome sight in Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, AACA, or CCCA circles. The potent supercharged engine will undoubtedly make it right at home blasting along with fellow enthusiasts on the Duesenberg Tour or similar exclusive touring events. In whatever way its next custodian chooses to enjoy it, Duesenberg J 2592/J-562 is a thrilling, striking, example of Classic Era grandeur with fascinating provenance as “The President's Company Car."