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J-415 Roberts Special Current Status

  • auburnandyscar
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15 Jul 2015 08:30 #29898 by auburnandyscar
Replied by auburnandyscar on topic Re: J-415 Roberts Special Current Status


Having seen this photo, like many others, I have wondered just "what" the 'builder' had rolling around in his mind....



Well I happened to come across this photo and a brief description which stated that the "Maverick" (in fiberglass) was "THE post-war Duesenberg"

Could this "maverick" have been the builders goal? Certainly the "Crapsmanship" between the two is miles apart, but this is my theory..... <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

www.undiscovered-classics.com/cars-in-restoration/
Check out this link for more photos of the "Maverick" I wish to give the owner of that site credit for compiling this information.

Check out my build at:
www.1932auburnsedan.com

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  • Tom_Parkinson
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18 Feb 2015 23:34 #29191 by Tom_Parkinson
Replied by Tom_Parkinson on topic J 315
Hi,

I just looked up an image of J-315.

Ouch!

--Tom

With brakes, two cylinders are better than one.

Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, The Hardtop News Magazine, the Journal of the Michiana Dunes Region, Lambda Car Club International

See pix of 1509A here: mbcurl.me/YCSE

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  • Mike Dube
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18 Feb 2015 19:38 #29189 by Mike Dube
Replied by Mike Dube on topic J-415 Roberts Special Current Status
Not sure how anybody could have ever considered either of them remotely good looking even in the context of those very different times.

Mike
8-100A

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  • Bob Roller
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18 Feb 2015 15:51 #29188 by Bob Roller
Replied by Bob Roller on topic J415
Yep,Elbert's first edition.Wollf was right,a monstrosity almost as bad as the original appearance of J315.

Bob Roller

Bob Roller

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  • sds1861
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17 Feb 2015 18:51 #29182 by sds1861
Replied by sds1861 on topic J-415 Roberts Special Current Status
Looks like Randy is going to take the 5th amendment on this one.
Steve

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  • Chris Summers
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16 Feb 2015 04:02 #29165 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic Re: J415

Bob Roller wrote: Page 109 photo 154


Elbert's book, I believe.

Chris Summers
ACD Club
CCCA
H.H. Franklin Club

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

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  • Bob Roller
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15 Feb 2015 13:54 #29160 by Bob Roller
Replied by Bob Roller on topic J415
Here are some stats on this car from the Wolff notes.
Owner 4/74 J.Gordon Secrest,Indiana to Arizona.
Original owner 5/23/31 as la Grande LWB rigid coupe to H.S.Lewis,Beaver Falls NY. One of two La Grande coupes.
History: 1938-39 to late Harvey M.Smith,Oneida NY. 1943 to Army Officer at Newark NJ. Roberts,Indy 1945 had made 1946/8 into monstrosity.Page 109 photo 154**
Indy Lawyer Harry M.Stitle sold about1947 to Roberts. Chas.Wiegand Jralso had two man Duesenberg. A racer in Iniiana. Became Schiles&amp;Secrest bought for$1000 and decapped,disappeared. Maybeowned by Owney Madden of NYC &amp;Ark. also Wm Duff Philadelphia gangster?? R. put 4 carb manifold
&amp;original exhaust manifold on also 43 gallon stainless steel gas tank. 6725 pounds.

** indicates I have NO idea as to this reference or what it's in.

Bob Roller

Bob Roller

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  • sds1861
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14 Feb 2015 15:01 #29150 by sds1861
J-415 Roberts Special Current Status was created by sds1861
Hello Everyone especially Randy;

What is the current status of the "Roberts Special" Duesenberg J-415?

This car was AWOL to the collecting fraternity for about 40 years and all that time it was owned by a family here in Evansville, IN. The car was kept stored away and not shown to the public all that time. The late Bill Bools and I, by talking with some of my elderly car collector friends here in town, discovered the owner family and made an unsuccessful attempt to buy the car around 2007-08. At that time, I saw a few photos of the car and the title dated, I think 1967, showing the car as a 1929 Duesenberg serial # J-415. I did not see the car itself as it was in storage with a family member out in one of the western states. The car was in original unrestored condition with the 1948 Lincoln convertible body. I was told that the six original wire wheels had been saved and were with it also. Around 2010 I was informed by the family that the car had been sold and the buyer was Jay Leno. For the last five years I have been waiting to see this car surface, but have not seen or heard anything. Randy, can you finally reveal the current status of this car?
Steve Stevens

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