Duesenberg Model J chassis 2483, originally fitted with engine J‑471, stands out as a particularly distinctive and well-documented example, featuring elegant coachwork by the respected Willoughby Company of Utica, New York. Willoughby was renowned for its formal sedans and limousines, typically characterized by restrained styling and exceptional interior craftsmanship. This car, however, presents a more individual and dynamic interpretation of their work.
Early in its life, the body was tastefully revised with a blind quarter roofline and a more rakishly sloped windshield, giving the otherwise formal design a noticeably sportier character. By the mid‑1930s, it was further updated with skirted fenders, in line with contemporary styling trends. These thoughtful modifications resulted in a cohesive and visually striking design that blends traditional luxury with a subtle sense of motion and modernity.
The car’s provenance is both impressive and well documented. Its first known owner was David A. Smart of Chicago, co‑founder of Esquire and Coronet magazines and an influential cultural figure of the period. In the mid‑1930s, the car passed through the Duesenberg branch in New York before being acquired in 1937 by actor Bret Morrison, best known as the voice of The Shadow radio program.
Over the following decades, the car remained in the hands of respected collectors, including D. Cameron Peck, J. A. Reitzel, R. C. Battat, and Charles R. Dowling, before being acquired in 1963 by Bertram Cobb of Toledo. Cobb retained the car for many years and displayed it at Auburn in 1965, reinforcing its reputation within the collector community.
In later years, chassis 2483 underwent a comprehensive restoration by C. W. “Bill” Bocock of Texas, a highly regarded Duesenberg expert and active member of both the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club and the Classic Car Club of America. Known for his meticulous and authentic restorations, Bocock ensured the car was rebuilt with great attention to both mechanical correctness and historical detail. His contributions to the hobby were later honored with the establishment of the Bocock Award for outstanding owner restorations.
At some point in its life, the original engine was replaced with J‑368, which remains installed today. During this period, the car was also returned to original‑style fenders, restoring a more period-correct appearance.
After passing through the Bocock estate, the car entered a Texas-based museum collection, where it received further mechanical recommissioning and cosmetic refinement to maintain its usability and presentation.
It later passed through a respected New England collection and then into another prominent collection of CCCA Full Classics.
Today, chassis 2483 presents as a high-quality older restoration that has aged gracefully. It is finished in an elegant silver body color with contrasting navy blue fenders, a combination that highlights the long, flowing lines of the Willoughby coachwork. Whitewall tires complete the dignified stance, while the chrome trim remains in excellent condition, enhancing the car’s presence without appearing over-restored. Subtle details, such as a single Pilot Ray driving light and delicate Art Deco accents around the door handles, reward closer inspection.
The interior reflects Willoughby’s reputation for craftsmanship and attention to detail. The rear passenger compartment is especially noteworthy, featuring unusual and luxurious period amenities, including a handheld intercom, a ceiling-mounted chandelier, and bud vases. These features emphasize the car’s original role as a chauffeur‑driven luxury automobile while adding a sense of individuality and occasion.
Importantly, the car retains its original firewall and remains a highly usable example, benefiting from careful ongoing maintenance and strong mechanical condition. It is equally suited to touring as it is to concours presentation, as demonstrated by its CCCA Senior First Prize award and Best of Show at the 2021 Boston Cup.
With its distinctive Willoughby coachwork, well-documented ownership history, and carefully preserved condition, 2483 represents a highly individual and compelling example of America’s most celebrated Classic Era automobile.
