Monthly Archives: April 2015

Duesenberg J-463

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1932 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton in the style of LaGrande

Offered by Mecum | Houston, Texas | April 9-11, 2015

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

On December 1, 1928, Duesenberg debuted their new Model J at the New York Car Show. The car was an instant hit among those that could afford it. In the next year, the company built 200 examples before the stock market crashed and money dried up. Only a few hundred more were built before sales stopped in 1937.

The standard engine is a 6.9-liter straight-eight making 265 horsepower. This particular car was originally bodied by Rollston in limousine form. A few years after it was new, the body was swapped for a Dietrich Convertible Sedan. That body was lost in a fire.

In the 1970s, the car was restored and the current body – which was scratch-built in the style of the famous LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton. A supercharger was also added, upgrading the car to SJ specification (meaning 320 horsepower). It’s not an original SJ, but it is an original Model J chassis and engine. It’s very nice and you can read more here and see more from Mecum here.

Update: Sold $500,000.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Monterey 2015, high bid of $550,000.

Update: Sold, Mecum Monterey 2016, $600,000.

Update: Not sold, Mecum Monterey 2017, high bid of $550,000.

Buick Blackhawk

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2000 Buick Blackhawk

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Fort Worth, Texas | May 2, 2015

Photo - RM Sotheby's

Photo – RM Sotheby’s

This extremely long-looking convertible hot rod was actually built by General Motors to celebrate 100 years of Buick. Even though the Motor Division wasn’t founded until 1903 (the year public sales began), David Dunbar Buick founded his company in 1899, building engines and prototypes.

The car was built to showcase the best things Buick had done in the past century. In 1938, GM designer Harley Earl created what was essentially the first “concept car” – the Buick Y-Job. This car takes some of its design inspiration from that car – and also the 1940s Buick Roadmasters.

The engine is a 463 horsepower 7.5-liter V-8 from a 1970 Buick GS Stage III. It went on the auto show tour in 2001 and was very popular. After the shows, it went back to the GM Heritage Collection until GM had to thin it out during bankruptcy. It was then sold to the current owners at a Barrett-Jackson sale in 2009 for $522,500.

As it was a show car, it wasn’t really well-engineered. So the new owners made it derivable. It’s a fantastic piece of Buick (and GM) history and is a true factory custom show car. It is expected to bring between $300,000-$450,000. Click here for more info and here for more from The Andrews Collection.

Update: Sold $363,000.

Update: Sold, Mecum Kissimmee 2022, $385,000.

Watson Indy Roadster

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1960 Watson-Offenhauser Indianapolis Roadster

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Fort Worth, Texas | May 2, 2015

Photo - RM Sotheby's

Photo – RM Sotheby’s

A.J. Watson and Fred Offenhauser are two legendary names associated with the Indianapolis 500 – names that, to Indy faithful, are right there with Foyt and Unser. Watson built his first car (for himself) in 1947. In 1955 he modified a Kurtis KK500C which ended up winning the 500. In 1956, Watson built his first Indy Roadster from scratch. He would go on to build only 22 more.

This car was built in 1960 and was run for a few years thereafter. Its competition history includes:

  • 1960 Indianapolis 500 – 30th, DNF (with Len Sutton)
  • 1960 Milwaukee 200 – 1st (with Sutton)
  • 1961 Indianapolis 500 – 19th, DNF (with Sutton)
  • 1961 Milwaukee 200 – 2nd (with Sutton)
  • 1962 Indianapolis 500 – 31st, DNF (with Allen Crowe)

The ’62 500 was the final race for this car (because it was crashed), which didn’t fare too well there. It is powered by a 4.2-liter Offenhauser straight-four. The car was discovered in the early 1980s and was restored thereafter to its 1961 Indy livery. It has been back to Indy since (driven by Sutton in some warm up laps) and was displayed at the NHRA museum.

Watson Roadsters are very rare – even more so in private hands. This one should bring between $700,000-$800,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $577,500.