@georgealbrightg

Help needed building an authentic Duesenberg SSJ speedster

georgealbrightg · 2007-03-01T03:25:31.000Z

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am thinking of taking one of my extra Duesenberg Model J engines and a repro frame and cut it down to 125 inch wheelbase to built a copy of a SSJ body on it. I have an original Derham cowl that is vey similar to the cowls on the SSJs.The Derham cowl is all that is left of the Beverly/Clear Vision type sedan built by Derham on J-132. Keith Brown of Indiana has a Derham convertible sedan on that chassis now.The cowl came from the Karl Kleve estate,and is all that is left of the original body.Thus I am not "wasting" an original cowl. Obviously I now need to build the doors and rear of the body. I want to do it in metal,but we could begin with fiberglass pieces and build our wood framework around them,and then skin the wood frame in metal.Does any one out there have any metal or fiberglass copies of any of the SSJ body panels? What would be trick is if I could find part or all of a left over metal SSJ body that was built by a group of guys including Leo Gephart in 1971,when they sold several replica metal SSJs with modern drivetrains. Yes I know I am crazy,and wasting alot of time and money,but what the heck! Plus I am amazed that no one has built a replica SSJ body around an original engine. OK guys blast away! George Albright,Ocala,Fla Email: gnalbright@gmail.com Cell 352 843 1624_________________

Mar 1, 2007 (edited)1.4K views

Replies (3)

· Mar 1, 2007

George,

I have no problem with you're trying to do, but my only comment, or question, is this. Since there are already two real SSJs, and several poorly done "replicas," and since your car is going to basically be made up from scratch, why not build something unique?

But on the subject of the "SSJ" roadsters, there was nothing complicated about those bodies. In fact, Randy Ema told me they were the two least expensive Duesenbergs ever built. It shouldn't take an expert any time at all replicating the body from photos. I'd contact D&D in Covington, Ohio and maybe they can offer some advice. They're in the business of making bodies from scratch.

(edited)

· Mar 2, 2007

i was watching some of the videos from jaylenosgarage, and there is a guy that has the original blueprints for the cars, may want to look there..

(edited)

· Mar 4, 2007

Thanks to all you guys for the ideas and words of encouragement! George Albright

(edited)

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