Duesenberg Model J chassis 2558, powered by engine J‑537, represents the final evolution of one of the marque’s most celebrated body styles, the LaGrande “Sweep Panel” Dual‑Cowl Phaeton. As the last example of this design built by LaGrande, body number 1015 holds a special place in Duesenberg history.

Delivered “in the white” to Duesenberg in February 1934, the body featured several distinguishing characteristics of late production, including rear-hinged (suicide-style) front doors, a detail believed to be unique to the final five bodies produced. When mounted to chassis 2558 later that year, the car reflected Duesenberg’s shift toward more modern styling, incorporating skirted fenders and 17‑inch wheels, elements that aligned with the streamlined aesthetic of the mid‑1930s.

Recognizing the car’s contemporary styling appeal, Duesenberg retained it as a factory demonstrator at its New York branch. In this role, it would have been shown and driven by many of the city’s most prominent personalities. According to historian Ray Wolff, the car remained in New York inventory through at least September 1935. It was finally sold on October 28, 1936, to its first private owner, Hugh Bancroft Jr., the 26‑year‑old heir to the Dow Jones publishing empire.

After World War II, the car relocated to the West Coast, where it passed through a series of owners, including a Chevrolet dealer in San Francisco. In 1951, it was acquired by early enthusiast Tom Carstens of Tacoma, Washington, who retained it for nearly a decade. During his ownership, the car was modified with external side exhausts. A fire in 1958 caused damage, but fortunately this was largely confined to cosmetic areas, including the right side, rear cowl, and rear seat.

In 1960, the car entered the care of Robert Jelinski, who soon sold it to the renowned Duesenberg authority Joe Kaufmann of Wisconsin, known widely as “Dr. Duesenberg.” Kaufmann undertook a careful restoration, preserving much of the original sheet metal and wood structure, and successfully campaigned the car at Midwestern concours events.

Subsequent owners included Charles Johnson of Florida, who continued to show the car extensively, and later Tom Lester, after which the car briefly moved to Europe during the 1980s collector car boom before returning to the United States in the hands of Mark Smith of Virginia, who maintained and enjoyed it for many years.

In 2000, the car was acquired by collector Frank Ricciardelli, who commissioned a comprehensive restoration by Steve Babinsky’s Automotive Restorations in New Jersey, one of the foremost Duesenberg specialists in the world. During this work, the car was found to be remarkably original, allowing the preservation of its entire original coachwork and major components. The restoration was executed to the highest standard, with exceptional attention to detail.

The quality of the restoration was immediately recognized. While still in progress, the chassis was displayed at the 2002 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Upon completion, the car returned to Pebble Beach in 2003, where it earned First in Class. Additional honors followed, including awards at the Meadow Brook and Amelia Island concours. The car also achieved the prestigious CCCA Senior Premier award, requiring three consecutive perfect scores, and notably became the first Duesenberg to win the Warshawsky Award for Best of Show at the CCCA Annual Meeting. It is also ACD Club Category One Certified.

After Ricciardelli’s passing in 2017, the car was eventually acquired by its current owner in 2021. Since then, it has continued to be shown at major events, including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island, where it earned further accolades. In a notable milestone, the car made its first appearance in Europe at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, bringing its history full circle to the international stage.

Today, less than a decade from its centennial, chassis 2558 / J‑537 remains an exceptional example of the Duesenberg marque. Retaining its original chassis, firewall, engine, and coachwork, it stands as one of the most complete and historically significant late-production Model Js. With its elegant LaGrande styling, concours pedigree, and remarkable originality, it continues to capture the essence of American automotive excellence at its peak.