Duesenberg J-158

I am not sure exact year, but James Silvey, now deceased, and I, as fellow members of the "Indiana Region" CCCA, trailered this very freshly-done Gem to the ACD Club meet at the O'HARE right after it had been completed. This was done with an open trailer. Bill "Mr. Goodwin" cautioned us to not imbibe as we were transporting his 'Jewel"!! He said that he would furnish all the drinks after the car was unloaded. Both Bill and his lovely wife were very well liked in all their associations and Clubs and are fondly remembered by surviving members of the INDIANA REGION CCCA. I seeb Bill at the HERSHEY meet every fall and he was always dressed to the "Tees". He was a true Gentleman!! Don Knight

WHAT is that box seen behind the right front wheel with what appears to be a pipe or shaft coming out of it?

Bob Roller

I remember seeing the car at Auburn in the early 70s and meeting Mr. Goodwin. He brought three Duesenbergs and this one was on his open carrier. He explained in great detail how he had it made and then opened the door so I could see the "Duesenberg" engraved sill plate. I was about ten years old and very much appreciated his kindness.

I still have pictures of my Mom with his Walker-LeGrande convertible coupe.

Quite a fine gentleman.

I saw this car at Auburn in 2003 which was the last time I was there.As a young man,I saw the drawing in Elbert's book with an elegant lady standing with it. I thought even then that it was a mistake NOT to have built it.I would have been a much better project than J315 which had to be the homeliest thing on wheels at the time.
Many years later,1970 to be exact,it was shown in a British publication which I think I still have. The pictures were unflattering and I thought that perhaps the idea should have been laid to rest for good. THEN,in 2003,I saw the actual car,up close,"Live and in color" as the TV ads used to say and it is one beautiful car.Whoever owns it now should never be ashamed to show it and the criticism sounds like sour grapes to me.As I understand the story,the chassis carried a badly deteriorated Rollston limo body and whoever owned it wanted to save the chassis and have something nice done with it.What else should be done with it,part it out or sell it for junk?
So what if it wasn't ready until 1968 or`69,the end results speak for themselves. From what I have read in Ray Wolff's notes,a lot of these cars are scrambled up and few carry the original crankshaft and some are put together from three or four clunkers that were one step away from the scrap pile any how.As far as I know,J158 has never been presented as an original 1930's car but as a new construction of one that SHOULD have been built and I,for one,commend whoever is responsible for this.

This is a car where pictures can't do it justice. It is amazing to see in person. Can you tell that I really like it?

Thanks for posting the pic Joel.

hi,

I'll still give it garage space... but you'll have to deliver it.

--Tom

Thanks everyone for the responses and to Joel for the photo.

Auburn 2006

I didn't take a picture, so it is possible that I saw a different car in 06 that was similar. The one I saw in Auburn in '06 was black with an off white interior. I'm pretty sure that it had the one peice external exhaust manifold, there was no top in place over the drivers seat.






edit: spelling

mikespeed35 wrote: Bill Miller is William Goodwins son-in-law. He brings another Duesenberg he ownes to Auburn regularly. Are you sure you saw this car at Auburn in 06?
CORDially Mike

I have a difficult time remembering YESTERDAY but I think the 2006 car was a black one, also with a somewhat radical design but the fenders (among other things)were qute a bit different.....seems like it was associated with a long gone female movie star. I'd have to check my photo's to make sure...



















s a spare engine. Are you sure you saw this car at Auburn in 06?

Joel wrote: I saw this car in Auburn in '06. It is stunningly gorgious! I would love to see it again. Hopefully it will be in Auburn this year, the Year of the Duesenberg. Does anyone know the owner?

Can you remember what was the color combination (exterior and interior)?Thanks

Bill Miller is William Goodwins son-in-law. He brings another Duesenberg he ownes to Auburn regularly. Are you sure you saw this car at Auburn in 06?
CORDially Mike





















s a spare engine. Are you sure you saw this car at Auburn in 06?

I could swear I saw this car in not-yet-complete condition at Auburn in 1975. Seems to me it was on a trailer. I'll have to go back and check my old photographs to be sure. Lots of great cars that year, it's as good a reason as any to go hunt the pictures up. Is it even possible that it was there, or is that too early?

Hmmmmmmm.... I'll gladly build a garage on my property to put it in.....

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--Tom

As Joel mentioned, it was last in Auburn is 06. I have been going since 1986, and as far as I remember, I have only seen it that one time. While I like the basic design, it's a little over the top in execution for me.

Chris Summers wrote: I think it's owned by Bill Miller (a relative of William Goodwin).

Where was the car displayed, Daniel?

I'm sorry ,i didn't word it right.What i meant is i 've seen a picture of this car not the car itself.

I think it's owned by Bill Miller (a relative of William Goodwin).

Where was the car displayed, Daniel?

I saw this car in Auburn in '06. It is stunningly gorgious! I would love to see it again. Hopefully it will be in Auburn this year, the Year of the Duesenberg. Does anyone know the owner?

This was a rebody of J-158 / 2180, done in the 1970s by two Indiana gentlemen for William Goodwin. The body was based on a drawing by Art Center College of Design professor and Duesenberg historian, Strother MacMinn, with some modifications. The drawing, in turn, was based on Fernandez et Darrin designs from the 1930s.

I haven't seen the car in person, although I'm told the craftsmanship involved was first-rate. I was also told that the car made an appearance at Auburn quite some time ago and retreated, due to some rude remarks regarding it being a rebody. It's more than welcome to reappear this year...50 in '10!

I 've seen recently this Duesenberg and it is absolutly beautiful.I would like to know more about it.I'm pretty sure Chris or somebody else can provide all the informations.Thanks