Supercharged Duesenbergs were the top American supercars of their time. They join the Supercharged Stutz, Cadillac V16, Packard Twelve and Marmon Sixteen to uphold American honors against the Rolls-Royce Phantom II, Bentley Speed 6, Hispano-Suiza J12 and Mercedes-Benz 540 k. With its centrifugal, gear-driven supercharger, 320 bhp was possible which eclipsed any other production car of the period.

Eric Minoff on the La Grande Dual Cowl Phaeton

The Model SJ, the supercharged version of the J, debuted in 1932 originally equipped with a set of eight separate hard pipes, the arrangement you see on this car. The early hard pipes, as they were referred to, only existed for less than a year, at which point they replaced with the 4 flexible stainless steel pipes you see on virtually all SJ and many J’s.

The stainless pipes were so racy and popular at the time (Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Delahaye, Delage, Talbot-Lago, Auburn, and many others all had them), that many owners actually converted their hard pipe SJ’s (or no external pipe J’s) to the 4 stainless steel pipes. While these pipes did have their advantages, such as prestige and (on SJ’s) the ability to disconnect the pipes for a [loud] boost of power, some owners liked their hard pipe SJ’s too much to change them.

One owner went so far to tell August Duesenberg (after the owner had received a notice from the company offering to change the pipes) that he loved his hard pipes b/c they glowed at night and impress my girlfriend! Hence, you can definitely tell if a Duesenberg is an SJ if it has hard pipes, but cannot if it has stainless steel ones.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
engine	Lycoming Straight-8
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Centrifugal, Gear Driven Supercharger
valvetrain	DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl
displacement	6876 cc / 419.6 in³
bore	95.25 mm / 3.75 in
stroke	120.6 mm / 4.75 in
compression	5.2:1
power	238.6 kw / 320 bhp @ 4200 rpm
specific output	46.54 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	122.7 bhp per tonne
torque	576.22 nm / 425 ft lbs @ 2400 rpm
redline	5200
body / frame	Steel over Steel Ladder Frame
driven wheels	RWD
front tires	7.00×19
rear tires	7.00×19
front brakes	Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
rear brakes	Drums w/Hydrualic Assist
front wheels	F 48.3 x 17.8 cm / 19 x 7 in
rear wheels	R 48.3 x 17.8 cm / 19 x 7 in
steering	Ross Cam and Lever
f suspension	Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers
r suspension	Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers
curb weight	2608 kg / 5750 lbs
wheelbase	3620 mm / 142.5 in
front track	1425 mm / 56.1 in
rear track	1425 mm / 56.1 in
transmission	Warner Hy-Flew 3-Speed Manual
gear ratios	2.485:1, 1.397:1, 1.000:1
top speed	~207.6 kph / 129 mph
0 – 60 mph	~10.0 seconds
0 – 100 mph	~20.0 seconds

Auction Sales History

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Bohman & Schwartz Town Car J553 – sold for $3,630,000 A one-off streamlined creation on a factory-supercharged chassis. Designed for Mae West; built for candy heiress Ethel Mars. Formerly owned by William Harrah and Richard Dicker. Featured in all of the important Duesenberg texts. Original engine, chassis, and body; ACD Certified Category 1 (D-044). The ultimate SJ Duesenberg.
Auction Source: Paul & Chris Andrews Collection by RM Sotheby’s

1934 Duesenberg Model SJ LeBaron Convertible Sedan J494 – sold for $1,567,500 The only SJ Convertible Sedan by LeBaron. Formerly owned by Edith Ludwig and Edmund C. Lynch Jr.Original engine, body, and chassis. Known history from new. Featured in Out West with the Hardys and Automobile Quarterly, Vol. 1, No. 1.
Auction Source: Amelia Island 2014 by RM Auctions

1931 Duesenberg Model SJ ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe by Murphy J345 – did not sell for $1,850,000 A genuine disappearing top Murphy Convertible Coupe with original engine, chassis, and body. Painstakingly restored with a supercharger and Monel side exhaust. ACD Club Certified Category One.
Auction Source: 2013 Monterey Auction by RM Auctions

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ LaGrande Convertible Coupe J530 – sold for $4,510,000 Arguably the most beautiful convertible coupe on the Duesenberg chassis. One of three produced, and the only supercharged example. Believed equipped with an original supercharger. Formerly the property of Raymond Lutgert and General William Lyon. Driven extensively, including the Texas and Wyoming Duesenberg Tours.
Auction Source: 2013 Amelia Island by Rm Auctions

1933 Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton 2551 –

A factory-supercharged Model SJ. Original Phaeton body. Today, Lt. Col. Jacob Schick’s magnificent SJ528 is one of a mere handful of original-bodied supercharged Model J Duesenbergs remaining today. It is one of three Brunn Riviera Phaetons built and, amazingly, one of two such factory-supercharged cars. In 2006, SJ528 was shown at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, where it was awarded Best in Class. As expected, it is an exceedingly rare event when an original-bodied Duesenberg with the specification, pedigree, provenance and rarity of SJ528 comes to market. For the confirmed collector of the finest custom-coachbuilt cars of the Classic Era, SJ528 is very likely the finest example available today.

Auction Source: RM Auctions’ 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey

1933 Duesenberg SJ LWB Convertible Berline 2437 –

This long wheelbase convertible sedan displays many of the features and design details for which the later production cars are known. The skirted front fenders give the car a more modern look, as do the 17” diameter drop-center wheels. As one of Murphy’s most popular bodies for the Model J chassis, the design was continually improved. This example has the very sporty and desirable, highly-raked windshield with Murphy’s signature ultra-thin posts, as well as the cockpit-inspired, deeply curved cowl line that continues beautifully from behind the windshield into the front doors. When it left the factory, 2437 was fitted with Marchal reflectors within the Twilite headlamp shells, an unusual factory option that the car still retains.

Auction Source: 2010 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe –

While many of the finest custom coachbuilders of the era offered a truly stunning array of the finest bespoke coachwork to suit virtually any customer need or taste, the Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California is generally recognized today as the most successful coachbuilder on the Duesenberg Model J chassis. At once simple and elegant, Murphy-built bodies were distinguished by their trim lines and undeniable sporting character, seeming all the more so when compared to contemporary East Coast designs, which were generally heavier and more ornate in their concept and execution.

Auction Source: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Bohman & Schwartz Roadster –

This model SJ Duesenberg, chassis number 2596, was built for Russian Prince Serge M’Divani, an aristocrat and marital ‘opportunist.’ Its Bohman & Schwartz-built body is unique in design. A one-of-a-kind, the car has numerous recognizable Bohman & Schwartz styling ideas. The car is believed to have been bought for Prince M’Divani by Barbara Hutton, heir to the Woolworth fortune. Not long after M’Divani’s death in a polo accident, the car was acquired by automotive engineer Jerry Gabby, who, during his thirty years of ownership, raced the car up Pikes Peak and had other road exploits including a drive from Dayton, Ohio, to Tucson, Arizona, much of it at speeds well above 100 mph.

Auction Source: 2009 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Bohman & Schwartz Town Cabriolet – sold for $4,400,000 Considered the most beautiful formal town car of the period, this outstanding one-off creation was penned by Christian Bohman and Maurice Schwartz. Commissioned by Mars Candy Company heiress Ethel Mars, SJ553 is one of just 36 factory supercharged Duesenbergs, and one of the few to retain its original coachwork, drivetrain, and chassis. It remains a superlative example of the art of custom coachbuilding in America.
Auction Source: 2007 Monterey Preview