Duesenberg Model J Limousine-landaulette Throne Car

This Duesenberg Model J is the longest and widest Duesenberg ever built and weighs about 3000 kilograms.

Despite their sturdiness, the rear wheels of this car, the heaviest, longest, widest and most expensive Duesenberg ever built, gave way under full load. That is why they had to be reinforced. The car itself already weighs more than 3,000 kilograms, but it is also intended to accommodate ten people: the American evangelist 'Father Divine' and his 'retinue'. Father Divine founded the International Peace Mission Movement in the 1920s. The Duesenberg is donated to Father Divine in 1937 by a follower. In the original design, a special 'throne' was included for the 1.55 meter tall evangelist, which can be adjusted in height by a mechanical system. The followers can be addressed via a sound system. The bodywork of this second-to-last Duesenberg ever produced is by Bohman & Schwartz of California. 'Its a Duesy!' Today this expression, which refers back to the Duesenberg automobiles, is still used to denote top quality. After the company was taken over in 1926 by Errett Lobban Cord, Duesenberg sales rose enormously, thanks in part to Gordon Buehrigs imposing front-end design. The Model J, with its 6.9 liter Lycoming eight-cylinder engine producing 265 hp, was unveiled in 1928 and was immediately enthusiastically received.