Being billed in an advertisement on ClassicCars.com as an “unprecedented opportunity to acquire the rarest of the all Duesenbergs!” is the Pick of the Day, a 1927 Duesenberg X Dual Cowl Phaeton.
The private seller advertising this Duesy on ClassicCars.com adds that just 13 Model X cars were produced and only 4 still exist. Plus, you can see this one for yourself beginning August 30 at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg museum in northeast Indiana.
The Model X, we’re informed, “served as a transition model between the race-bred Model A (1921-1926) and the mighty Model J (1929-1937). Industry executive E.L. Cord had just acquired Duesenberg and wished to enter the market with a competitive vehicle prior to the launch of the J in December 1928.”
This only a few of the Model X cars were produced.
“This surviving example 1927 Duesenberg X Dual Cowl Phaeton was originally shown at the 1927 Chicago Auto Salon wearing impeccably proportioned dual-cowl phaeton coachwork by Locke of Rochester, NY and sporting an elegant ivory/green color scheme,” the ad continues.
“Purchased in 1964 by the famed Harrah Collection, it was subsequently restored and became one of Mr. Harrah’s most cherished vehicles. The Model X eventually passed among various collectors but was rarely shown in public.”
“While at first glance, the A and the X seem nearly identical yet the latter differs in virtually every aspect ranging from engine to chassis and drive train,” the private seller notes that. “A slightly longer wheelbase, lower suspension, longer front fenders accommodating recessed spare tire wells, a lower hood line and an increase to 100 HP thanks to a modified valve angle and cam timing (versus the Model A at 88 HP; also having manifolding ideal for supercharging of which one Model X was so equipped).
“A new hypoid rear axle replaced the A’s crown differential, wheels went to 21-in. Buffalo’s and the running boards were cast aluminum. In its early guise, our vehicle carried the early style drum headlamps which were soon replaced with flat profile Ryan-Lites.”
According to the advertisement, it is believed that 4 Locke-bodied phaetons were produced, and this is the only one to survive.
“Ownership history: C. Walter Pratt; Edward Sixbury; Wendell Chapelle; Harrah’s Automobile Collection; William Lyon; Bud Tinney; Fred and David Weber; Ed Weaver; Fred Guyton; current owner Perry Pintzow of Albuquerque, NM.”
The ad notes that the car came out of decades of “hiding” to win Best in Class honors at the 2020 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance.
“Our 1927 Model X Duesenberg ‘goes like a locomotive,’ commanding challenging grades and straightaways alike. Even 115-degree southwestern temperatures can’t bring her to a boil! Paint, interior, top and plating present like a 15-year old restoration—a testimony to the careful workmanship of the Harrah restoration staff so many years ago.”
The Duesenberg is being offered for $598,000.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
For Larry Edsall — A collector restorer for almost 60 years, and author of the recent Amazon release, “Zen and the Art of Old Car Collecting” heartily endorsed by Jay Leno, I would seriously consider purchasing this Locke-bodied Duesenberg X phaeton. However, the final two photos in the online display cover up the vehicle’s price and the “contact the owner” capability. Kindly forward those items to me at : [email protected]. Many thanks, Bruce (NH)
I have a 1927 Duesenberg car bottle full of whisk unopened still in the box it cane from Louisville KY