Photo: RM Auctions
Duesenberg was to America what Rolls-Royce is to Great Britain – the pinnacle of automotive luxury. However, the Indiana-based manufacturer has bitten the dust in 1937, whereas Rollers are still being made today. That's all the more reason why it's such of an occasion when an ultra rare Duesy from 1925 heads to auction.
To be auctioned on Saturday, July 26th, at RM Auctions Motor City event, this 1925 Duesenberg Model A Touring by Millspaugh & Irish Up is estimated to fetch around $175,000 to $225,000, but we're pretty sure the selling price will scrape the half million mark easy peasy. Why? For a start, about 600 Model A vehicles were made between 1921 and 1926 and the body style was handled by arrangment with the buyer's coachbuilder of choice.
Secondly, this is the original road going Duesy, also known as the Dusesenberg Straight Eight, the first automobile in series production to feature hydraulic brakes and the first mass produced car in the United States propelled by a straight-eight powerplant. This exceptionally restored example of the breed is powered by an 88 horsepower and 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) mill displacing 260 cubic inches (4.3 liters) and a groundbreaking design.
At a time when most expensive cars went little beyond pedestrian L-Head engines and primitive mechanical bits and bobs, the Duesenberg brothers designed a straight-eight with a single overhead camshaft actuating two valves per cylinder, coupled to a three-speed sliding gear transmission. Chassis #989 was first purchased by a customer from Indianapolis and it was later acquired by car collector Homer Fitterling. "Carpet king" Ed Weaver got the car in 1989 and sold it in 1993 at a landmark auction event. The current owner bought the Duesenberg Model A Touring by Millspaugh & Irish 10 years ago and spent some 3 years performing a complete restoration.
The black-and-scarlet livery body was refinished to its former glory, while black leather upholstery was refitted along with a tan canvas top. All the nickel trim was restored by a professional, with the addition of a clearcoat finish to further protect the trim. This iconic Midwestern automobile, which has been well preserved in its current ownership, is one of only about three dozen Model As in existence, and it arguably represents the purest form of the Duesenberg brothers’ vision for their automobile. As the distinguished automotive historian Beverly Rae Kimes wrote, "the Model A Duesenberg is that rarity: a great car that still remains overlooked."
Secondly, this is the original road going Duesy, also known as the Dusesenberg Straight Eight, the first automobile in series production to feature hydraulic brakes and the first mass produced car in the United States propelled by a straight-eight powerplant. This exceptionally restored example of the breed is powered by an 88 horsepower and 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) mill displacing 260 cubic inches (4.3 liters) and a groundbreaking design.
At a time when most expensive cars went little beyond pedestrian L-Head engines and primitive mechanical bits and bobs, the Duesenberg brothers designed a straight-eight with a single overhead camshaft actuating two valves per cylinder, coupled to a three-speed sliding gear transmission. Chassis #989 was first purchased by a customer from Indianapolis and it was later acquired by car collector Homer Fitterling. "Carpet king" Ed Weaver got the car in 1989 and sold it in 1993 at a landmark auction event. The current owner bought the Duesenberg Model A Touring by Millspaugh & Irish 10 years ago and spent some 3 years performing a complete restoration.
The black-and-scarlet livery body was refinished to its former glory, while black leather upholstery was refitted along with a tan canvas top. All the nickel trim was restored by a professional, with the addition of a clearcoat finish to further protect the trim. This iconic Midwestern automobile, which has been well preserved in its current ownership, is one of only about three dozen Model As in existence, and it arguably represents the purest form of the Duesenberg brothers’ vision for their automobile. As the distinguished automotive historian Beverly Rae Kimes wrote, "the Model A Duesenberg is that rarity: a great car that still remains overlooked."
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