Sep 3

Duesy DIY project

This is on offer by the Blackhawk collection, mid-restoration (no affiliation or vested interest). It is said to contain engine J241. I presume the body is new. Not sure about the frame and how much is present or missing. Out of curiosity is anyone here an expert who can comment publicly? I'm chiefly just curious. I figured these things get traded privately behind the scenes... There are more photos online if you find the ad.

Sep 3, 2026

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Replies (11)

· Sep 4

Dan, I don't know anything about this car other than "kit cars" are so expensive to put togehter and restore that you are always WAY better off buying a finished car. So even if this had a matching engine/body/chassis etc you would still be better off buying a finished car.

They have it in their "Sold" category.
https://www.blackhawkrollingart.com/vehicles/48/1930-duesenberg-model-j

· Sep 4

I looked at that car when it first went up for sale.. I believe it was like $350k.. If the engine was complete and running that would have been a good/great deal.. However, its was not complete or running.. from my experience with having Straight-Eight do a rebuild etc.. the dollars didn't make sense.. The chassis was a repro.. lots of parts missing.. definitely a cluster.. However, for a display chassis.. it could work!

· Sep 4

Interesting the chassis is a repro. It seems like they were serious not letting an engine go to waste.

· Sep 4

There are a number of car out there with reproduction chassis. Nobody ever threw away a Duesenberg engine but plenty of cars were scrapped.

When Ted Billings was building the toursters the first few cars were nice complete sedans that were simply body swaps. By the time the got to car #10 everything but the engine was reproduction. There is a big difference between owning car #1 and car #10.

· Sep 4

For perspective I watched this car get put together from an original chassis and an original engine. Lots of original parts, Tremac 5 speed. High end restoration. well over a million dollars to restore. Took 10 years and just sold for 825k all in.

https://www.mecum.com/lots/1176392/1932-duesenberg-model-j-sweep-panel-dual-cowl-phaeton

(edited)

· Sep 4

Disassembled projects are never worth with. Missing pieces, hours and hours of work. Always better off buying a car somebody else restored.

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· Sep 4

Yes I agree. I think when I was reading the forums 20 years ago looking for a long-term project many were tenable but between costs, trouble finding things and the people to get things done, not to mention the continued sand running through the hour glass I am convinced a major project is best left to select people.

· Sep 4

There are worthwhile projects but you need to either be a billionaire or close or very skilled and in love with the project to do it yourself. I think this is worthwhile.

· Sep 4

A.J., what is that?

· Sep 4

1930 bohman and schwartz packard 745

· Sep 4

@Royale835Sedan there is a whole topic on this particular car.

https://app.rumbleseat.com/rumblefeed/post/11542