1934 Duesenberg J Walker-La Grande Coupe, - Blue (#39 of 200)

This one-of-a-kind Duesenberg J Coupe # 2569 / J-554 was ordered on May 19 1934 directly from the factory. The customer was J.K. Lilly, Jr., chairman of the board, and grandson of the founder of "Eli Lilly & Company" (founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, Indiana who was a famous collector and philanthropist as well. In 1948 he headed the company as President). 

Factory designer J. Herbert Newport penned the unique streamlined body features which were very advanced for that time. The production of this unique body on a short chassis was run at A. H. Walker Body Company of Indianapolis. Walker built only 6 bodies on the Duesenberg chassis. Enthusiasts call them "Walker-LaGrande".

The car, weighing three tons, was ready for J. K. Lilly, Jr.’s birthday on September 25th, 1934 with a final price of $25,000 with the most expensive bodywork ever installed on a Duesenberg chassis - $6,750. The car was painted in a dark blue color, with a matching leather-covered roof. In addition to the body, another $1,000 was spent separately on an exclusive radiator grille. The grill was assembled from individual plates, costing $500, plus another $500 for chrome plating. Less than a year later it was sold by first owner for much lesser price. The sixth and current owner, Jay Leno, bought it in April 1993.

The car underwent a complete restoration in the famous specialized workshop in Los Angeles and now holds a central place in the Duesenberg collection of "Jay Leno's Garage"! 

P.S. The happy future owners of these models - please pay attention to the grill of radiator that after many trials and errors has been made with specially prepared conductors, that made from separated etching details and specific shapes. During this process those details were soldered together, nickel-plated, polished, and installed in each body car individually. There is almost exact copy of the process of 1/1 on the scale of 1/43!

‘’The true Craftsmanship of the Art in the best Duesenberg’s traditions".

The production is limited to 200 pcs.

Created by EMC for B & G / Historic Line.

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