Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum News Release - Museum Adds Rare Duesenberg Model Y Prototype and Early Model A to Exhibit

AUBURN - The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum recently acquired two unusual Duesenbergs for exhibit. The first is a 1922 Duesenberg Model A Fleetwood Coupe owned by Shawn and Tammy Miller of Indianapolis, Indiana. The Duesenberg Model A was the first production passenger car to bear the name Duesenberg. It was also the first American car to offer four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Not only is this fine example a very early Model A, it is the only Duesenberg built with a Fleetwood rumble seat coupe body. It is an original car and is the oldest Duesenberg currently on exhibit at the museum.

The museum also acquired a 1927 Duesenberg Model Y Phaeton owned by Royce Kershaw, Jr. of Montgomery, Alabama. The Model Y was a transitional model between the Model X and J. Several engine configurations were built, but it is believed that only one Duesenberg Model Y was completed. Because the Model Y was a prototype, Augie Duesenberg was given the task of destroying the car after the testing was completed. He destroyed the engine and chassis, but kept the body. He mounted it on a Duesenberg Model A chassis and added non-Duesenberg wheels. The Model Y prototype is believed to be the first Duesenberg to employ design and styling characteristics that were eventually used in the timeless Duesenberg Model J design. It is an interesting and unique Duesenberg.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum currently has 11 Duesenbergs on display. This is the world's largest collection of publicly displayed Duesenbergs. The museum has a variety of the many different types of Duesenbergs that were produced; a 1927 Duesenberg Indianapolis 500 race car; a Model X; several Model A examples; an assortment of Model J's including a rare example that was originally purchased by William Randolph Hearst in the early 1930s and a Model J Speedster.