Duesenberg Model J chassis 2536, powered by engine J‑507, is a particularly interesting example of a Model J that underwent multiple transformations during its lifetime, reflecting both the individuality of its owners and the flexibility of the Duesenberg chassis.

The car was originally delivered with a Derham Convertible Sedan body and purchased new by H. G. Liebhardt. As one of Philadelphia's most respected coachbuilders, Derham was known for combining elegance with practicality, and the Convertible Sedan body provided both open-air motoring and enclosed-car comfort.

Liebhardt, however, was not content to leave the car in its original form. Seeking a more formal appearance, he commissioned Walter M. Walton to modify the coachwork. Following this work, the Convertible Sedan was transformed into a more conventional sedan, significantly altering the car's character while retaining its underlying Duesenberg identity.

Demonstrating his enthusiasm for custom coachwork, Liebhardt took the unusual step of commissioning an entirely separate Speedster body for the same chassis. This reflected a period when wealthy owners often viewed coachwork as interchangeable and were willing to experiment with different body styles to suit changing tastes and uses.

A later and perhaps more significant chapter began when chassis 2536 was acquired by renowned collector William F. Harrah, whose passion for preserving and restoring classic automobiles would eventually lead to one of the world's greatest automotive collections.

During Harrah's ownership, the chassis was entrusted to Maurice Schwartz, one of the most talented craftsmen associated with Duesenberg restoration and recreation. Schwartz utilized the chassis to construct a striking Speedster, giving 2536 a far more sporting appearance than its original Derham configuration and creating the form in which the car is best known today.

The history of Duesenberg 2536 illustrates the evolving nature of many Model Js throughout the twentieth century. From formal Derham coachwork to custom modifications and ultimately a sporting Speedster configuration, the chassis adapted to the tastes and ambitions of successive owners.

Today, it serves as an intriguing example of how Duesenbergs were not merely preserved but continually reinvented, while always retaining the engineering excellence and prestige that made the Model J the "World's Mightiest Motor Car."