Model J 2325 Hibbard et Darrin Limousine

Chassis number: 2325
Modeltype: J
Body:
Hibbard et Darrin  Limousine (current)
Wheelbase: Long

Information

Duesenberg Model J chassis 2325 presents an intriguing case in coachwork history, involving both documented facts and differing historical interpretations. The car was originally fitted with bodywork by the prestigious Hibbard & Darrin of Paris and Philadelphia, one of the most fashionable coachbuilders of the early 1930s.

However, the exact nature of the original body remains subject to debate. Duesenberg historian Josh Malks lists the original coachwork as a limousine, suggesting a formal, closed design. In contrast, Tom Hibbard, one of the founders of Hibbard & Darrin, later stated that the firm never produced closed bodies on Duesenberg chassis, implying that the original configuration may have been open or semi-open rather than fully enclosed. This discrepancy highlights the occasional uncertainty that surrounds coachbuilt automobiles of the era, especially when original factory documentation is incomplete.

In 1934, the car underwent a significant transformation when its original Hibbard & Darrin body was removed and replaced with a convertible body by Hermann Graber of Switzerland. Graber was renowned for his elegant and distinctly European designs, and the new coachwork would have given chassis 2325 a far more modern and sporting appearance, in line with mid‑1930s styling trends.

Provenance

No provenance available.

Highlights/prizes

No highlights/prizes available.


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