World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

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09 Nov 2009 20:44 #14946 by k8096

Replied by k8096 on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

I missed that the first time. Thats interesting he bought both cars through the Stutz Company & they were shipped from Louisiana. Stutz didn't have a dealer network like ACD did. They had "agents" who often sold other makes of cars as well. So the "Stutz Company" would have been an individual agent. Perhaps this agent sold ACD cars & Stutz. You would have thought ACD would have had a dealer in New Orleans. ACD most certainly had dealers in Houston & Dallas, so why would he go to Louisiana to buy these cars? I would think the cars would have been put on rail cars to be shipped. Would the Duesenberg been shipped from the body builder to the client, or would it have been sent back to Indy for a final tune up before going on to it's final destination?

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09 Nov 2009 19:53 #14945 by Greg Riley

Replied by Greg Riley on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

I misspoke...your correct it should be Pierce Arrow...the article talks about him buying from the "Stutz Company in Louisiana" and it always gets stuck in my brain! I'll try and post a photo of the family Auburn. It is a huge uncompressed tiff file, and that will take me a little longer!

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09 Nov 2009 19:51 #14944 by k8096

Replied by k8096 on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

Great photos, thanks for sharing. The coupe in the 2nd & 3rd pictures is not a Stutz. It may be a Pierce Arrow with drum headlights instead of the usual fender mounted ones.

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09 Nov 2009 19:24 #14943 by Greg Riley

Replied by Greg Riley on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

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09 Nov 2009 18:57 #14942 by k8096

Replied by k8096 on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

Any chance I could get you to post a photo of the Stutz? Most (not all) custom Stutz cars were either LeBaron, Rollston, or Weymann. I'd love to identify the body for you.

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09 Nov 2009 17:42 #14938 by Greg Riley

Replied by Greg Riley on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

Supposedly that photo was taken the day the Cord was delivered. I've seen several photos that were all taken at the same time from slightly different angles. One if a very large (bigger than 8X10") and I think the spot is oil

I've also got a couple of video clips converted from the original 16mm film. You can glimpse several of the cars including the Judkins Coupe. None is on screen for more than a second or too.
I do have extensive photos of the Stutz, and several minutes of video too. Mildred Yount is circling the driveway in her Austin Bantam with the Stutz in the background. I also have some great photos of the Stutz in front of the brand new Mildred Building. The Stutz is definitely a custom body.
I was standing in the exact spot that photo was taken last weekend. Sadly that only thing that remains is the driveway, which is now behind a self-service car wash. I'm trying to buy that property, which is adjacent to other property I own....yes I know obsession is not a good thing
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09 Nov 2009 16:42 #14937 by k8096

Replied by k8096 on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

Greg, any info or pictures you have on the Stutz would be appreciated too.

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08 Nov 2009 16:46 #14925 by Chris Summers

Replied by Chris Summers on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

mikespeed35 wrote: I think the Duesenberg was parked there first and they moved them to take the photo.
CORDially Mike

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08 Nov 2009 15:29 #14924 by mikespeed35

Replied by mikespeed35 on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

I think the Duesenberg was parked there first and they moved them to take the photo.
CORDially Mike

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08 Nov 2009 02:36 #14921 by cbs

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Quite a nice gasoline leak under the Cord, though.

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07 Nov 2009 18:22 #14915 by Chris Summers

Replied by Chris Summers on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

I think the Duesenberg behind the L-29 in that photo is actually the Willoughby Sedan. The Judkins Ladies Berline, as seen in the photo of it on the scrap scales, is different.

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07 Nov 2009 11:12 #14913 by

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Mike you are right it is worth mentioning. Both these cars look new, I would love to find a set of double diamond tires like the ones on the L-29 Sedan.
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07 Nov 2009 04:28 #14911 by mikespeed35

Replied by mikespeed35 on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

The car in front is worth mentioning also. The guy had good tast.
CORDially Mike

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06 Nov 2009 19:27 #14902 by Chris Summers

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Not at the moment Jan.

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06 Nov 2009 19:23 #14901 by

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can someone identify the Judkins Berline of Frank Yount?

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04 Nov 2009 15:26 #14857 by Greg Riley

Replied by Greg Riley on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

The Yount's owned three Duesneberg's...two were reportedly 1929's, a Judkins Coupe, and a Willoughby Sedan. The Yount family it still in possession of the Gordon Buehrig sketches of the coupe proposal.
The Judkins Berline was definitely purchased at the '33 World's Fair. Ironically this car definitely arrived by rail car the morning of his death. The local newspaper erred in reporting this as the 20 Grand, no doubt Pansy was happy with this version. Subsequent to all of my previous postings the book was completed (available on Amazon.com) and I now have a good understanding of all of the Yount cars. I believe his Stutz also had a Judkins body.
Incidentally I own the historic home across the street from where the Yount mansion stood in the 1300 block of Calder Ave, once known as Oil Baron's Row. This is kitty-corner from the National Historic Register Mildred Building built by Yount.
I have been meaning to share the story of the destruction of the Judkins Coupe for some time...maybe I'll get to it this week.
We don't know what happened to the Willoughby Sedan. Perhaps it lives own as parts of other cars....who knows?

Greg Riley

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03 Nov 2009 02:26 #14840 by JeffStork

Replied by JeffStork on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

I'm wondering if the stories have been a bit blended. Pansy Yount's 1933 Judkins Berline was purportedly purchased at the 1933 Chicago Auto Show. There's little doubt she had this car as there is photography from when she donated it- so is this the Younts third Duesenberg and not the "Twenty Grand"? Or did the estate papers err on the two 1929's?

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24 Oct 2007 15:30 #8496 by Chris Summers

Replied by Chris Summers on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

I agree with Bill, after the students were finished with it it was quite a snazzy-looking barge. Ray Wolff got it and restored it. I haven't seen a photo of it since the early 1970s when Jeff Caves was restoring it again in CA.

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24 Oct 2007 14:17 #8493 by Josh Malks

Replied by Josh Malks on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

Only the chassis was imported to Japan, so it could be classified as "parts" and not be subject to heavy duties. For the same reason it could not be fitted with a "real" body. To do so would have subjected it to retroactive fees. See page 124 of (modestly) [i:30og7goz]The Illustrated Duesenberg Buyer's Guide[/i:30og7goz].

The chassis number is not known.

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24 Oct 2007 10:41 #8490 by bill powell

Replied by bill powell on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

It's ugly there but did you see it after the students in Kaiserslautern, Germany finished with it? It was not too shabby then. About 1958, I think.

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24 Oct 2007 07:56 #8489 by

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rfloch wrote: Of ugly Duesenbergs, I don't think that any can compete with this Japanese-bodied 1929 J (credit to the Don Butler's ACD Book):

Does anyone know the chassis/engine# that was shipped to Japan?

Jan

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17 Apr 2004 17:22 #1596 by rfloch

Replied by rfloch on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

Of ugly Duesenbergs, I don't think that any can compete with this Japanese-bodied 1929 J (credit to the Don Butler's ACD Book):

Richard Floch

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14 Apr 2004 02:54 #1576 by Greg Riley

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I have a copy of a Nov 14, 1933 newspaper article from the Beaumont, TX Journal, that says Frank Yount took delivery of the world famous World's Fair Duesenberg two days before his death. His probate records show that he owned three Duesenbergs at the time of his death, two '29's, and one unamed (the twenty grand?). He also owned a Cord L-29, an Austin Bantam, and a 1918 Locomobile limousine, and several other lesser cars.
Of course newspaper articles of the day were sometime quite unreliable. However, he was definitely at the Worlds Fair, and his saddlebred horse Beau Pevine was judged 2nd place overall. Has anyone heard anything else regarding the original owner of the 20 Grand?
We have pictures of two Yount Duesenbergs and the L-29, but no photos seem to exist of the mysterious third car. B.T.W. his wife Pansy is the lady the scrapped the Judkins Berline in Lexington, KY during WWII. No idea what happened to the other two, but it would be neat if at least one still existed.
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08 Apr 2004 04:56 #1556 by Duesey

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07 Apr 2004 23:59 #1555 by Mike Dube

Replied by Mike Dube on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

Michael,

Doug was the one who didn't like it, I merely quoted his post.

That said, Its by no means my favorite. That distinction I give the late Melvin Cleman's swb Murphy convertible coupe, with Bill Buddig's a close second. I have to say, that like Melvin did, I prefer the earlier J designs.

Mike

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07 Apr 2004 07:24 #1551 by MICHAEL S SMITH

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BY THE WAY THE LIGHTS ARE ON THE FRONT FENDERS AND SIGNFYED WHETHER THE MARHARAJA OR MARHARINI WAS IN THE CAR

MICHAEL S SMITH ACD LIFE MEMBER #40
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07 Apr 2004 07:20 #1550 by MICHAEL S SMITH

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MIKE
I HOPE YOUR ARE THINKING OF SOME DUESEY OTHER THAN THE CALIFORNIA(AT THIS TIME) ONE BUILT FOR A MAHARAJAH. IT IS A BOATAIL SPEEDSTER ORANGE OVER BLACK, AND ARGUABLY ONE OF, IF NOT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DUESEYS EVER BUILT.

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07 Apr 2004 04:52 #1549 by Duesey

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Mike Dube wrote: << I remember (at least I think I do) a few pictures of an "updated" Duesenberg for some Indian Maharaji or whatever that looked like something George Barris might have come up with during a bad LSD trip. Maybe these pictures were in "Duesenberg", by Elbert? I've seen it somewhere, just can't remember where...>>

The 'Maharaja Car' car (J585 / 2614) was one of the very last chassis bodied, in this case by Gurney Nutting. It was not a rebody, but in fact the original for this chassis. Pics are in both Elbert and Roe (and others too I'm sure). It still exists, and is in California I believe.

The Maharaja's Car is indeed in California, but I do not recall who the owner is. It is a very interesting car though, one of the few original SJ's. It has a unique feature special to that car too. On the rear deaklid are two lights, one blue and one red. When the Maharaja was driving, the red light would be lit, but when someone else was driving the blue light would be lit. The car is also one of the most spectacular looking Duesenbergs out there too.

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07 Apr 2004 00:23 #1545 by Mike Dube

Replied by Mike Dube on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

<< I remember (at least I think I do) a few pictures of an "updated" Duesenberg for some Indian Maharaji or whatever that looked like something George Barris might have come up with during a bad LSD trip. Maybe these pictures were in "Duesenberg", by Elbert? I've seen it somewhere, just can't remember where...>>

The 'Maharaja Car' car (J585 / 2614) was one of the very last chassis bodied, in this case by Gurney Nutting. It was not a rebody, but in fact the original for this chassis. Pics are in both Elbert and Roe (and others too I'm sure). It still exists, and is in California I believe.

Mike

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04 Apr 2004 04:53 #1536 by Duesey

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MICHAEL S SMITH wrote: I AM GOING FROM MEMORY AND MAY WELL BE WRONG, BUT I DON'T THINK MR. NETTHERCUT FOUNDED THE COMPANY. I SEEM TO REMEMBER IT BEING HIS MOTHER OR AUNT.

I do indeed stand correct. Merle Norman Cosmetics was founded by, suprise, Merle Norman, JB's Aunt.

www.merlenorman.com/aboutus/aboutus.html

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04 Apr 2004 01:04 #1531 by MICHAEL S SMITH

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I AM GOING FROM MEMORY AND MAY WELL BE WRONG, BUT I DON'T THINK MR. NETTHERCUT FOUNDED THE COMPANY. I SEEM TO REMEMBER IT BEING HIS MOTHER OR AUNT.

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03 Apr 2004 01:54 #1526 by ACDthebest

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I feel a little better now about my dislike of the Father Divine car. It just never seemed to me to be what a Duesenberg ought to be. The idea of admitting a Duesy could be ugly just never seemed right to me. Most Duesenbergs are just so "right"...

I remember (at least I think I do) a few pictures of an "updated" Duesenberg for some Indian Maharaji or whatever that looked like something George Barris might have come up with during a bad LSD trip. Maybe these pictures were in "Duesenberg", by Elbert? I've seen it somewhere, just can't remember where...

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22 Mar 2004 19:26 #1471 by Duesey

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Greg Riley wrote: Did Nethercutt purchase that car new? In my opinion it is the most elegant of all Duesie's.
However, I've never seen an ugly Duesenberg!
Greg

Oh, heaven's no! Nethercutt my a gentleman of advanced years, but Merle Norman Cosmetics (the company he made his fortune founding) was but a small upstart then, Nethercutt aquired the car after WWII. As far as ugly Duesenberg's are concerned, almost all of them were beautiful, but some, many of them from Bohman and Schwartz were ugly to say the least. B&S was one of the few coachbuilders that had no real interest in upholding a set standard, if you had a check, they'd have a car. As aresult, some of the most austentacious and bizarre looking cars came from their shop the worst of which was the 1936 Father Divine (one of two Black Duesenberg owners) custom 168" wheelbase Bohman and Schwartz limo. This car was so over the top, the back seat wasn't a seat, it was literally a throne.

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22 Mar 2004 14:18 #1470 by Greg Riley

Replied by Greg Riley on topic World' Fair

Did Nethercutt purchase that car new? In my opinion it is the most elegant of all Duesie's.
However, I've never seen an ugly Duesenberg!
Greg

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22 Mar 2004 03:17 #1469 by Duesey

Replied by Duesey on topic World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings

I have only heard about JB Nethercutt's 1933 Duesenberg SJ Arlington Torpedo Sedan as being the major World's Fair Duesenberg, and it is also the only Duesenberg included in an article about the 1933 World's Fair in the New York Times covering the fair (this is from the microfilm I have looked at). There was one other major car that debuted at the 1933 World's Fair, however, the 1933 Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow.

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13 Mar 2004 00:46 #1413 by Greg Riley

World's Fair Duesenbergs and other Misc Ramblings was created by Greg Riley

Were there one or two 1933 World's Fair Duesenbergs? One web site claims there were two. I understand that the Nethercutt car is one. Where is the other (if there were in fact two)?
Were they identical?
Who bought them new?
Just some oddball questions that occurred to me. See you Sunday at Amelia Island!
Greg (The Corvair Guy)

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