Duesenberg Model JN chassis 2587, powered by engine J‑559 (later replaced and ultimately returned), is one of the most historically significant and culturally rich Duesenbergs ever built. Known as the “Bojangles Duesenberg,” it is closely associated with legendary entertainer Bill “Mr. Bojangles” Robinson, one of the most celebrated performers of early 20th-century America.

Robinson, born in Richmond, Virginia in 1878, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the highest-paid entertainers of his era. Beginning his career at age six, he went on to achieve success in vaudeville, Broadway, and eventually Hollywood, where he became famous for musicals alongside Shirley Temple and for his iconic stair dance. Despite his fame and earnings, Robinson died in 1949 in financial difficulty, and his funeral, arranged by Ed Sullivan, drew tens of thousands of mourners.

The story of the car begins in February 1935, when Rollston of New York completed a sophisticated five‑passenger berline body and shipped it “in the white” to the Duesenberg factory in Auburn, Indiana. The body was mounted on chassis 2587, fitted with engine J‑559, and completed later that spring.

In July 1935, Robinson purchased the finished automobile for $17,500, an immense sum at the time, reflecting both his success and his appreciation for luxury automobiles. 

Shortly after delivery, he sent the car to Bohman & Schwartz in Pasadena for refinement. There, the car received a number of stylistic updates, including:

- Parking lights integrated into the front fenders

- A revised front bumper design

- A full repaint, including the radiator shell and headlamp housings

These updates brought the car in line with late‑1930s styling trends and gave it a more modern, streamlined appearance.

In the early 1950s, the car passed through several owners, including William Graham Bell, Jay Bullen, and W. C. Wilkinson, before being acquired in 1952 by enthusiast Lamont M. Cochran. Cochran also owned another Duesenberg, a Murphy roadster, and began interchanging major components between the two cars, including engines, radiator shells, and instruments. During this period, engine J‑559 was replaced with J‑500, further complicating the car’s mechanical history.

Today, the car is presented in an elegant dark brown finish with a complementary top and refined interior, reflecting a balance of historical accuracy and aesthetic appeal.

The “Bojangles” Duesenberg is widely regarded as:

- A car with exceptional documentation and provenance

- A rare example of a Rollston Berline with Hollywood and cultural significance

It has been featured extensively in marque literature, including works by J. L. Elbert and Fred Roe, and is often cited as one of the finest surviving Duesenbergs.