Duesenberg Model J
| Duesenberg Model J | |
|---|---|
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1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Torpedo Convertible
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Duesenberg |
| Also called |
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| Production | 1928–1937 |
| Assembly | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Body style | Coachbuilt to owner's preference |
| Layout | Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 7 L (420 cu in) DOHC straight-8, optional supercharger |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
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| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Duesenberg Model A |
| Duesenberg Model J engine | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Duesenberg |
| Production | 1928-1937 |
| Combustion chamber | |
| Configuration | Straight-eight engine |
| Displacement | 420 cu in (6,900 cc) |
| Cylinder bore | 3.74 in (95 mm) |
| Piston stroke | 4.76 in (121 mm) |
| Cylinder block alloy | cast iron |
| Cylinder head alloy | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Compression ratio | 5.7:1 |
| Combustion | |
| Supercharger | Duesenberg centrifugal (optional from 1932) |
| Fuel system | Single updraft Schleber carburetor |
| Fuel type | gasoline |
| Cooling system | water-cooled |
| Output | |
| Power output |
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| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Duesenberg Model A engine |
The Duesenberg Model J is a luxury automobile made by Duesenberg. Intended to compete with the most luxurious and powerful cars in the world, it was introduced in 1928, the year before the stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. The Model J, available with a supercharger after 1932, was sold until 1937.
E. L. Cord, the owner of Auburn Automobile, and other transportation firms, bought the Duesenberg Motor Corporation on October 26, 1926 for the brothers' engineering skills, talent and the brand name in order to produce luxury cars. Cord told Fred Duesenberg to design an automobile that would be the best in the world, the biggest, fastest, and most expensive car ever made. The car was intended to compete with the biggest, most powerful, and most luxurious European cars of the era, including Hispano-Suiza, Isotta-Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce.
After Cord's takeover, the new company was renamed "Duesenberg, Inc." Fred would continue in the new organization with the title of vice president in charge of engineering and experimental work. Fred's brother August, who had played an important role in the development of the Model A and its variant, the rare X, had nothing to do with the initial design of the J and had no formal connection with Duesenberg, Inc. until later. According to the expert Marshall Merkes, "Cord did not want Augie around." However, all Duesenberg racing cars produced after 1926 were built by Augie in an enterprise that functioned separately, and in a building apart from the main Duesenberg plant. He was also responsible for a number of engineering achievements like the superchargers he developed for both the Auburn and Cord motorcars.
The newly revived Duesenberg company set about to produce the Model J, which debuted December 1 at the New York Car Show of 1928. In Europe, it was launched at the "Salon de l'automobile de Paris" of 1929. The first and — at the time of the New York presentation — only example made of the series, the J-101, was a LeBaron sweep panel dual cowl phaeton, finished in silver and black. By the time the Great Depression hit in October 1929, the Duesenberg Company had only built some 200 cars. An additional 100 orders were filled in 1930. Thus, the Model J fell short of the original goal to sell 500 cars a year.
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Wikipedia