THE MOST IMPORTANT AUTOMOBILE EVER OFFERED BY AUCTIONS AMERICA AT AUBURN FALL: 1933 DUESENBERG MODEL SJ ‘SWEEP PANEL’ PHAETON, J-510

THE MOST IMPORTANT AUTOMOBILE EVER OFFERED BY AUCTIONS AMERICA AT AUBURN FALL: 1933 DUESENBERG MODEL SJ ‘SWEEP PANEL’ PHAETON, J-510

·        Auctions America adds one of most significant Duesenbergs offered in recent years to its flagship Auburn Fall sale lineup, August 31-September 3 at the Auburn Auction Park

·        Formerly part of the renowned Lyon Family Collection, the 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ ‘Sweep Panel’ Phaeton boasts a fascinating and well-known ownership history

·        Four days of auction action, 850 quality collector cars, selection of automobilia and roster of automotive-themed activities set for Labor Day weekend event

·        Frequently updated list of entries available at www.auctionsamerica.com

AUBURN, Indiana (July 17, 2017) – Auctions America is thrilled to announce the addition of a highly noteworthy great American Classic—the 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ ‘Sweep Panel’ Phaeton by LaGrande, engine no. J-510—to its annual Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, held August 31 – September 3. The sporting and unique LaGrande Phaeton is one of the most significant Duesenbergs to come to market in recent years, and surely the most important automobile ever offered by Auctions America at the historic Auburn Auction Park.

A true American performance powerhouse, the Duesenberg is one of eleven LaGrande “sweep panel” phaetons produced for the long-wheelbase Duesenberg Model J chassis. Of these, just three were supercharged SJ models, and only one of these, no. J-510, offered here, boasted unique styling features, most prominently the lack of a full second cowl; instead, a folding windshield was fitted, that collapsed behind the front seat when not in use. The result, along with the potent supercharged engine and its signature side exhaust, produced a true American sports car.

An original supercharged SJ, this gorgeous Duesenberg was delivered new to Bernard E. ”Ben” Smith, a floor trader with W.E. Hutton & Company in New York City. After the car had spent the first decade of its life at the Smith Family home in New York State, Ben Jr. and his new wife drove the Duesenberg to Mexico in 1946 when they partnered on a major horseracing facility near Mexico City. Smith’s partner purchased the business outright shortly thereafter, and the Model SJ was included as part of the transaction. Its further custodianship in Mexico City during the 1940s and 1950s earned it the nickname the “Mexico City SJ.”

Numerous attempts were made by early collectors to buy the car, to no avail. In the late 1960s, an American enthusiast finally successfully purchased the Duesenberg and returned it to the U.S. Since then, the SJ has been a member of some of the finest collections in the country, including the renowned Lyon Family Collection for 25 years. It retains its original body, engine and chassis and is accompanied at Auburn Fall by Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) Club Category One Certification (D-182). Still well-presented and attractive down to the last detail, the Duesenberg is estimated to exceed $2,500,000 when it crosses the Auburn Fall block later this summer.

“It is a true honor to have the opportunity to offer a car with such significance as the Model SJ at a venue rich with American automotive history and during a festival dedicated to preserving these great Classics,” says Donnie Gould, President, Auctions America. “The demand for exceptional American Classics at auction has shown incredible momentum over the last few years, and it is stand out cars like this SJ that underpin the strength of the market and the collector car hobby overall. For serious collectors, this is your opportunity to acquire a highly important Duesenberg; one that is unlikely to repeat itself in the foreseeable future.”

The Model SJ joins the previously announced Auburn Cord Duesenberg lineup at the Auburn Fall sale. Additional American highlights set for Auctions America’s Labor Day auction include:

·        an award-winning 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 ‘F-Code’ Skyliner, one of just seven original F-Code Skyliners produced, equipped with the best available Ford engine of its time as well as numerous factory options and accessories (Est. $140,000 - $180,000);

·        a Bloomington Gold-winning 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, the 127^th of just 300 examples built for the first year of Corvette production, restored to concours-quality (Est. $225,000 - $275,000); and,

·        for racing enthusiasts, a well-known and extensively documented 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray “Supernova”, restored to its 1971 Road Atlanta SCCA Regional Champion presentation and ready for more track time (Est. $325,000 - $375,000).

A Labor Day weekend tradition for enthusiasts across the country for over 45 years, Auctions America’s Auburn Fall collector car weekend will present an expected 850 quality collector cars as well an assortment of automobilia across four days of auction action. Beyond the dual-ring auction block, there’s fun for the entire family, with an onsite swap meet, car corral, and a Cars & Coffee cruise-in. Attendees can also look forward to the return of monster truck shows and rides, helicopter rides, and sportbike stunt shows, with more to come.

For further information on Auburn Fall, an updated list of entries, or to discuss consignment opportunities, please call +1 260 927 9797 or visit www.auctionsamerica.com.