1934 Duesenberg Model J Prince of Wales Berline

1934 Duesenberg Model J "Prince of Wales" Berline

Coachwork by Rollston

Chassis No.: 2575
Engine No.: J-547

Key Features:

• Original chassis, engine, firewall, and coachwork
• One-off custom-built Rollston design with intricate detailing
• Owned by notable Duesenberg collectors, including Allen Thurn and Homer Fitterling
• Part of the Tupelo Automobile Museum Collection since 1996
• Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic

Specifications:

• Engine: 419ci DOHC Inline 8-cylinder
• Induction: Single Stromberg Downdraft Carburetor
• Power Output: 265bhp at 4,200 rpm
• Transmission: 3-Speed Manual
• Brakes: 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

The Duesenberg Model J – America’s Ultimate Luxury Car

Few names in the history of luxury automobiles carry the same prestige and power as Duesenberg. The Model J was introduced at the 1928 New York Auto Salon as a revolutionary high-performance luxury car, conceived under E.L. Cord’s ownership and engineered by Fred Duesenberg.

Powered by a twin-cam, 32-valve Lycoming-built straight-eight engine producing 265 horsepower, the Model J was capable of 110 mph in high gear—an astonishing feat for its time. Every chassis was hand-tested at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before being sent to the world’s most exclusive coachbuilders for custom bodywork.

Duesenberg’s advertising was among the first to focus not on the car itself, but on the status of its owners, with campaigns featuring images of aristocrats, film stars, and industrial magnates accompanied by the tagline:
"He drives a Duesenberg."

With a price tag exceeding that of a Rolls-Royce or Hispano-Suiza, the Model J attracted an elite clientele, including Hollywood legends Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Gary Cooper, as well as royalty such as King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Queen Marie of Yugoslavia.

Despite being built during the Great Depression, Duesenberg managed to sell fewer than 500 Model Js, making them among the most exclusive and collectible American automobiles ever produced.

The One-Off "Prince of Wales" Berline by Rollston

Among the most exclusive coachbuilders of the era, Rollston of New York was known for exceptional craftsmanship, elegant designs, and unparalleled build quality. The Prince of Wales Berline, built on chassis 2575, was a one-of-a-kind variation of Rollston’s Model J limousine designs.

Factory photographs confirm that this car retains many design elements of the later Model JN series, including:

• A lowered body profile, eliminating the frame aprons for a sleeker, more modern look
• A rakish vee’d windshield, which could be opened for ventilation
• A lavishly appointed rear compartment, featuring:
  • Passenger instrumentation
  • A vanity/cocktail cabinet
  • A built-in intercom system

With its low, streamlined stance and sophisticated detailing, the Prince of Wales Berline was one of the most stylish and sporting Duesenberg sedans ever built.

Ownership History & Provenance

• 1950: Purchased in Los Angeles by Dr. P.W. Sherwood of New Orleans
• 1950s-1965: Passed through notable collectors Francis Russo, Don W. Bagwell, and Allen Thurn
• 1965-1991: Acquired by Homer Fitterling, one of America’s most renowned Duesenberg collectors
• 1991: Purchased by Ed Weaver, a major collector who owned one of the world’s largest automobile collections
• 1996-Present: Acquired by the Tupelo Automobile Museum, where it remained as one of the museum’s centerpiece exhibits

Current Condition & Restoration Potential

This Rollston "Prince of Wales" Berline is a highly original and largely complete example, retaining its original chassis, engine, firewall, and bodywork. While the front fenders were replaced at some point with those from a Henney hearse, the car remains a strong candidate for restoration.

• Drivetrain: Largely complete but may require reconditioning
• Interior: Retains much of its original fittings, though some components are missing
• Exterior Trim: Some elements, including the running board trim strips and luggage rack, are absent
• Lighting: The headlamps were replaced with later sealed-beam units

Despite these areas needing attention, the underlying structure of the car is well-preserved, making it an ideal candidate for a concours-level restoration or sympathetic preservation for tour use.

An Unparalleled Collectible Opportunity

With exceptional provenance, a one-of-a-kind Rollston design, and a well-documented history, this 1934 Duesenberg Model J Prince of Wales Berline is an outstanding investment for any serious collector of Classic Era automobiles.

Restored to its original grandeur, this car would undoubtedly be one of the finest surviving Duesenberg sedans, a showpiece for concours events and a testament to the finest American coachbuilding of the 1930s.