Duesenberg Model J chassis 2425, powered by engine J‑431, is one of the most historically significant and visually influential Model Js ever created. It is celebrated as the first Derham Tourster and is widely regarded as one of Gordon Buehrig’s most important automotive designs.

Unlike conventional phaetons of the period, which typically positioned the rear passengers directly over or behind the rear axle, Buehrig adopted a far more sophisticated approach. On chassis 2425, the rear seating compartment was moved forward, ahead of the rear axle, allowing the body to sit noticeably lower and creating a longer, sleeker profile. This innovative layout reduced the visual bulk common to large touring cars and gave the automobile a more streamlined and sporting appearance. The design became one of the defining achievements of American coachbuilding during the Classic Era.

Upon completion, the car served as an important promotional vehicle for the Duesenberg marque. It was exhibited at both the 1930 Chicago Auto Show and the 1930 Los Angeles Auto Show, where its dramatic styling attracted considerable attention. During its appearance in Los Angeles, the car was purchased by Hollywood star Gary Cooper, one of the era's most popular actors and a noted enthusiast of fine automobiles.

Following Cooper’s acquisition, the Tourster was modified to suit contemporary tastes. Among the changes were revisions to the rear bodywork and front fenders, alterations that gave the car a slightly different appearance from its original show-car configuration. Such updates were not uncommon during the 1930s, when owners frequently modernized their Duesenbergs to keep pace with changing styling trends.

Today, chassis 2425 remains one of the most recognized Derham-bodied Duesenbergs. Its importance lies not only in its association with Gary Cooper but also in its role as the pioneering example of the Derham Tourster design, a body style that successfully combined the grandeur of a long-wheelbase luxury automobile with the sleek proportions of a sporting touring car.

The car is currently preserved at the Heritage Plantation Museum, where it continues to be admired as one of the most significant design studies ever executed on a Duesenberg Model J chassis.