Duesenberg A Classic American Motorcar

If there is one automobile that involves fantasy of vintage luxury and fame it’s the Duesenberg from which the phrase “It’s a Doozie” was born and derived. What are the origins and background of this most regal form of transportation?

What is seldom appreciated is that the mighty Duesenberg motor car clan was derived from rather more humble beginnings – an earlier more mundane production model – the much less glamorous Model “A” Duesenberg. Even though not considered such a classic of note as later Model J and the supercharged Model SJ 1932 Duesenbegs , was basically a very good car that introduced a later standard in the auto market – hydraulic brakes.

The Duesenberg J was the creation of Mr. Errett Lobban Cord , who gained management and ownership control of the Duesenberg Motor Company of Indianapolis in 1926 and made it an integral component of its his Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg empire. This great automotive industry pioneer said himself many times that his vision was to father a home gown domestic American car that was as best as the world could produce. To this day many would still believe that the Duesenberg was of course of European – German, American or perhaps Italian vintage and origins. Even the name of the automotive creation Duesenberg belies this point and viewpoint.

Why was it that it took a luxury high end automotive series of products to bring the Duesenberg line of motor vehicles to the automotive historical forefront and not the innovations of the racing car brothers ? First as always is cost – that is in relation to its marketplace. Always consumers and car buyers look and compare a vehicle for purchase to other products in its market segment and niche. Its a price comparison process to the “competition” and competitive vehicles in the auto transportation marketplace. The Model A was priced over the budget of most car buyers – a hefty seven to 8 thousand dollars – which was a very large sum in the eras of the roaring 1920′s. Also add historical happen-chance to the mix. After all this was the era post World War 1. It was not only Duesenberg which suffered from the associated stigma of a Teutonic Germanic nameplate. The Chrysler Corporation as well suffered from the same automotive marketing issues to the American motoring public and communities.

While it can be considered that the legacy of the Doozies were the wonderful “boats” , extreme luxury vehicles popularized by the likes of European Royalty as well as American “Royalty” in the form of Hollywood movie stars it was after all the more simple and basic initial products of the Duesenberg Motor Company that overall had the greatest and lasting effects on the American and indeed worldwide European and Japanese Asian automotive industry and products. The straight eight motor power plant went on to become the auto industry base standard against which all other motors were compared and related to . It was first Packard and Buick that followed this trend , and then later with the introduction of the short stroke overhead valve V-8 engine by the General Motors G.M. divisions of Oldsmobile and the luxury vehicle of its time – the namesake Cadillac.

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Shaw U. Allard on December 13th 2009 in Car Insurance