Duesenberg Model J chassis 2509, powered by engine J‑465, is one of the most fascinating transatlantic Duesenbergs ever created. Combining American engineering with French coachbuilding artistry, its history spans international competition, multiple continents, extensive modifications, and ultimately a painstaking reunification with its original body.
Completed in 1931, chassis 2509 was fitted with a dramatic Figoni Speedster body, created by the celebrated Parisian coachbuilder Giuseppe Figoni. Long before his later Art Deco masterpieces, Figoni was already building some of Europe's most distinctive sporting automobiles, and the Duesenberg speedster was among his most ambitious creations.
With its low-slung proportions, sporting character, and uniquely European styling, the car stood apart from virtually every other Model J of the period.
In 1932, the Speedster participated in the prestigious Paris–Nice Rally, one of Europe's premier touring events. Following its competition appearance, the car was acquired by Antonio Chopitea of Lima, Peru, one of the most important Duesenberg collectors of the era. The Chopitea family owned several remarkable Model Js, making Antonio one of the marque's most significant international clients.
Despite Chopitea's ownership, the car's stay outside the United States was relatively brief. By 1934, chassis 2509 had returned to America, beginning a long period of evolution that would dramatically alter its appearance.
As styling trends evolved during the 1930s and 1940s, so too did the appearance of the Figoni Speedster. Over time, a number of modifications were made, including:
- Installation of bullet-shaped headlamps
- A redesigned windshield
- A revised front bumper
- Removal of the original siren
- Addition of a distinctive rear fin
These changes reflected contemporary tastes and gave the car a more modern appearance than its original 1931 configuration.
One of the most significant chapters in the car's history occurred during the 1960s, when owner Russell Strauch decided to remove the original Figoni coachwork from chassis 2509.
In its place, the chassis received a replica body, while the genuine Figoni body was transferred to Duesenberg chassis 2178. Such body transfers, while controversial by today's standards, were not uncommon in the early years of Duesenberg collecting, when enthusiasts often prioritized preserving rare coachwork over maintaining original chassis-body combinations.
The story became even more complex in the late 1970s, when Rick Carroll commissioned yet another body for chassis 2509, creating a further separation between the chassis and its original coachwork.
After decades apart, the original components were finally brought back together in 2020, when collector Lee Anderson acquired both chassis 2509 and the relocated Figoni body.
Recognizing the historical significance of the original pairing, Anderson undertook the important task of reuniting the authentic Figoni coachwork with its original chassis. This restoration effectively reversed the modifications and transfers of previous decades, restoring one of the most significant European-bodied Duesenbergs to its correct configuration.
Few Duesenbergs have experienced a journey as remarkable as chassis 2509. From the roads of France and the Paris–Nice Rally to decades of alteration, body transfers, and eventual restoration, it reflects the evolving attitudes toward preservation throughout the history of automobile collecting.
Today, reunited with its original Figoni body, 2509 once again represents the extraordinary combination of American mechanical excellence and French coachbuilding artistry that made it one of the most distinctive Duesenbergs ever built.
