Motor # J-164
Chassis # 2187
Manufactured for export to Europe, this elegant sedan with exquisite silver interior appointments was first sold in 1931 by famed Parisian dealer, E. Z. Sadovich, to Archduke Franz Josef of Austria (AKA Prince Otto of Hapsburg).
From Franz Josef to the present, there is an unbroken ownership history, 26 years of it being in France. It was next owned by a George Gould of Vaucresson, who sold it to Antonio Chopitea of Paris and Lima, Peru. It is believed that the exterior color was changed to dark blue either by Gould or Chopitea. From Chopitea, it was purchased in 1935 by Prince Loutfallah of Egypt, who assumedly used it in Paris and at his home at Cap d'Antibes on the French Riviera. During the war years, 1939-1948, the car was kept hidden.
In 1948, it was inherited by Alex Sursock of Cap d'Antibes, nephew to Prince Loutfallah, who, with his companion, led a rather gay, bohemian life cruising in the Duesy between the Riviera and the ski resorts of Switzerland until 1957, when Sursock, through a friend and an ad in the NY Times, sold to an American, Allen Thurn, of Pennsylvania.
The car remained virtually unchanged and was stored during the ownership of the next three American owners, Smith, Cox and the McGowan Bros, until 1995, when the car was acquired by the present owner, who has, over the years, completely rebuilt the original engine, returned the body to its original maroon color (although he wisely left what appears to be the original interior alone) and lovingly maintained it with the idea of preserving its remarkable originality.
This car is very well documented, having a level one Verification of Originality issued by the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club. Fred Roe, renowned Duesenberg historian, reviewed this car and called it a very good original car and in that review, noted with an exclamation point that "this Duesenberg has the 62nd chassis, 63rd axle and the 64th engine!"
This beautiful automobile would enhance any collection, but most especially cannot help but appeal to those collectors who are interested in the American Duesenberg's presence in European royal society, when the price of a Duesenberg would buy two Hispano Suizas, the closest competitor.
CarDiscoveries is offering this superb car for sale on behalf of its owner.
