1935 Duesenberg SJN 5664 Rollston Cabriolet

Automotive author Ken Purdy once wrote that Duesenberg’s were “a legend that will live as long men worship beauty and power on wheels.” While that is true, the stock market crash of 1929 and the depression that followed nearly dried up the market for luxury autos of Duesenberg’s quality and price.

Unemployment had skyrocketed to 24% in 1933 and even those few people who could still afford such a car were reluctant to flaunt their prosperity in the face of widespread poverty. Still Duesenberg had a small, but very loyal clientele among the Hollywood elite.

Only four Duesenberg SJ Cabriolet Convertibles were built, with the first going to movie legend Clark Gable. This automobile is the third produced and the only factory-equipped supercharged JN model assembled. This car has been driven only 16,500 miles and is considered the lowest mileage original Duesenberg in existence.

Taken at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

You may purchase a print in our dElegance 2011 online gallery.