The first owner of this Duesenberg was S.D. Locke of Bridgeport, Connecticut, heir to the inventor of the chain‑link fence. Locke kept the car only briefly before it passed through several owners in New York and New Jersey in the years leading up to and following World War II. After the war, the Duesenberg appeared for sale once more, this time with an asking price of only $500, reflecting the low demand for large, pre‑war luxury cars during that era.

During the 1960s, the then‑owner undertook a restoration and added an external side exhaust, giving the car a more dramatic appearance reminiscent of the later SJ models. Through the 1970s, the Duesenberg continued to change hands until it was eventually sold by Tom Barrett (co‑founder of the Barrett‑Jackson auction company) on behalf of Axel Wars, acting for his friend Federico Medarazo of Mexico. Afterward, the car passed to two additional owners in Mexico before eventually returning to the United States.

A comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration began in the early 2000s. By this time, the car had been equipped with several correct period accessories, including Pilot Ray driving lights, wind wings, and the external exhaust system added during its earlier refurbishment.

The most recent major restoration was carried out in 2012–2013 by Nick’s Old Car Specialty in Redlands, California, on behalf of its present owners, John and Linda Muckel. Their work ensured that the Phaeton once again reflected the beauty, presence, and mechanical excellence expected of a classic Duesenberg.