Model A Special

RandyEma wrote: Hello Gang . The A that several have refered to is the Castles A coupe sn A 601 the very first A passenger car . This car still belongs to the orig family and is being restored as we speak. Randy

That is good to hear!

Thanks Randy.

Hello Gang . The A that several have refered to is the Castles A coupe sn A 601 the very first A passenger car . This car still belongs to the orig family and is being restored as we speak. Randy

Silverghost mentioned:
There is a photo of a very similar Model "A" with a Victoria/Opera Coupe' body posted on Jack Curtright's new Duesenberg website~~~~

www.duesey186.com
Go to the above site, click on gallery, then click-on Model "A"

There you will see Duesenberg Model "A"
# A1000-0602 Victoria/Opera- Coupe'.

This photo is supposed to depict one of the earliest known Model As. I suspect most of us saw it first in Fred Roe's book, and it is the only one that most of us have seen. I recently viewed 2 other shots of this car and suspect they will appear in an upcoming issue of the CCCA Bulletin.

In answer to Kellie,I would say that the Model"A" it was derived from was so homely that it had to be modifed to be presentable. Look at the contrast between the "A"and the "J". E.L.Cord had the right idea when it came to good looking cars. The "X" wasn't too bad but the "A" had nothing going for it in the looks department
I have always liked these cycle fendered cars no matter what they stemmed from. Old Fords,Chevies and whatever else. I have often thought if I had a "J" that it would be restyled with cycle fenders,a one piece header,
"V" windshield and two powerful road lights down a crossbar in front of a Winchester V'd radiator equipped with a stone guard as well as guards for the road lights.
An old man's dream.

Bob Roller

Randy :

There is a photo of a very similar Model "A" with a Victoria/Opera Coupe' body posted on Jack Curtright's new Duesenberg website~~~~

www.duesey186.com
Go to the above site, click on gallery, then click-on Model "A"

There you will see Duesenberg Model "A"
# A1000-0602 Victoria/Opera- Coupe'.

As you can see this period photo Victoria/ Opera-Coupe' body has the exact same front and rear fenders along with a similar short aluminum step-style running boards as your roadster project.
This may well be how your project Model "A" first started out it's life from the factory. It may have been a similar coupe'

Also note that the rear spare tire mount rack area as well as the bar below it is also the same !


You and your good buddy Jay both made some great finds of a lifetime in that very small Calif. cottage's garage.

Fantastic Find Randy ! ! !

By the way~
I am looking for a Duesey Model "A" driver, or older restoration, or project, in a drop-top convertible style.
Any leads greatly appreciated !

Not that you're biased, Kellie, right?

Really neat story! Would love to know what inspired the customization? It looks like it will be a fun car - left alone or restored. It will turn a lot of heads, but maybe not as many as that classy Auburn Coupe parked ahead of it! <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

@ Randy, congratulation for buying this fun car.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and revealing your ID.

I would get it technically in top shape with that blower but otherwise i would leave it the way it is, only the knowlegdeable will know the trouth and value.
Have good fun <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Whatever the critter is, I like it.Once it;s running again and at least one wheel with a working brake,it would be a fun car of the first rank.
If the brakes don't work,install a very loud horn.Anyhow,get it going again.

Bob Roller

Randy, thanks so much for filling in the gaps. Greatly appreciated. She's in good hands.

Allow me to spend some of your money by suggesting how nice that original "A" blower you have would look on that car. I'm sure Mr. Johnson was planning on doing just that since he had acquired both.

A.J.

Hi Randy,

Big thank you!!


Steve

Thanks for filling in the blanks, Randy . . . and I only have one comment:

It couldn't have found a better home.

Okay Gang . Guesing is over I just purchased this car for myself out of the garage in Burbank Ca where it had been residing since the early forties. The car is Duesenberg A sn 702 built in 1922 as a 4pass sport ? this 1927 28 Chrysler or Gardner body was put on prior to 1934 when Wil Johnson purchased it from a guy named Madis in Chicago . When it was purchased for $650.00 it had fresh paint and front seat uphls rear is still orig. The car came to him with Lincoln front bumper 31 Chrysler head lights and bar 1931 Auburn rad cap,hood ? Chrysler or Gardner body . chassis all model A shortened with A instruments.There it is any comments I would love to hear. Randy

There is now a new thread posted over at the AACA website forum on this mystery car ~~~

It contains these three photos above along with two additional photos of the rumble seat and cowl area !

Everyone over there are making their own guesses and speculations about this mystery car !
No additional information as of this posting~~~

You might want to check-it-out ! ?

The purchaser frequents the board so he can add details if he wants. I believe it remained in the garage after the X because the original owner's daughter did not want to part with it.

So Chris:
That would make this car a second Packard-Duesenberg ; only with an "A" engine &amp; chassis this time ?

What more do you folks know about this unusual find ?

It apears that more is known about this car than is actually already posted here !

It looks like a 1920s Mercedes S from the firewall forward. I agree, for a "later" rebody that uses a Packard body, it has interesting lines.

There is no reason to believe that Mr. Leno did not buy both cars.

By the way, I'm wondering what is the source of the photos?

That looks like Randy Ema's shop.

WOW~~~

If true... And I am sure you know the true facts~

I am stunned and shocked that Jay &amp; Randy, and others just let this car sit after Jay's discovering , and finally being able to actually buy the very rare Model "X" some years ago ! ?

I would have bought BOTH !!!

Boy that old fellow who owned that small old house &amp; garage sure liked his Dueseys !

That radiator sure looks bigger than most typical Duesey Model A" s that I have ever seen before !

I would be very interested in BUYING this car for myself !
I just satrted looking for a Duesenberg Model "A" !

Definitely not like any Model A radiator we are familiar with, I think Mr. Marenzi may be on to something in his Graham-Paige I.D for the radiator shell even though the insignia appears to be correct "Duesenberg 8". I don't doubt for a second that the esteemed Mr. Ema knows more about this car, and I'm sure eventually we all will.

Sure is a great-looking car, though - great proportions, and what a gem it would be fully restored. Here's hoping.

Car is in fact the one found with the Model X. Not published to date because it remained in the garage until now. Body was placed on the chassis sometime in the 20s and there is a bunch of paperwork to prove it.

I think it might be the best looking Model A with a period body out there.

Unusual to say the very least ~

Sure looks like a Duesenberg 8 radiator logo badge.
Very neat garage find indeed.

I like the cycle-like style front fenders &amp; lack of full running boards &amp; hood sides also~

Could the crank-hole cover just be rotated upward ?


If this is in fact the car found alongside Jay Leno's now famous model "X" Duesey garage find why is it we have not heard it's story before now ?

I sure would like to know it's past history~
Who put it together ?
When ?
Why ?
Is it realy Duesenberg "A" powered ?
What is it's chassis ~~~ Duesey "A" ?

It has front brakes too~
Buffalo/Wire Wheel Corp. of America hubs &amp; wheels~

Does it have any past racing or hill-climb history ?

Or~~~
Was it just a great early hotrod project?

Will it be preserved or restored in it's present configuration as found ?

I really like this car as it sits now !

A B Jenkins would love this car~

NOW~~~
Is it possible that someone here is holding out some vital information on us ?

We all just NEED to know it's story and past ownership &amp; history !

Very interesting~~~~~

I really like this great Project Car !

Badge looks Duesenberg , but radiator does not, it?s not correct shape and notice hole underneath the crank hole cover, probably added because the original was not aligned correctly with the Duesenberg crankshaft.
Still think it?s Graham Paige.


Robbie Marenzi
ACD Club Member
Buenos Aires
Argentina

It is a Model A Duesenberg if I remember correctly. Looks like a Duesenberg 8 badge on the radiator shell.

Radiator seems to be from a 1928/30 Graham Paige.

Robbie Marenzi
ACD Club Member
Buenos Aires
Argentina

That is Randy Ema.

I believe the car is the "other car" that was in the sealed garage next to the Model X sedan discovered by Jay Leno.

Who's the guy driving and what can he tell us about this car?