Now this is a car! Duesenberg Model J - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vwbuge · #16 10-05-2007, 11:05 AM

A few years ago I cut an article out of the local newspaper. If I remember, one of the Duesenberg brothers was named Frederick. Anyway, Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) was the main highway between Chicago and New York/Philly back then. Frederick was driving one of his cars on his way to New York when he crashed on a mountain stretch of Route 30 just a few minutes from where I live. He actually died in the hospital in Johnstown, PA where I live.

Carleton Hughes · #17 10-06-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dculkin

The second coolest car ever.

You know one thing? Tipo 57's turn up all the time,just gotta be ready to pounce is all.

I know of 12 in Connecticut,6 here on the Island and then there's this....Old lady won't sell it though but myself and everybody else in the old car community is going ape*****...............

t walgamuth · #18 10-06-2007, 09:32 AM

Fred and Augie. Yes, one died fairly young. I would not have known which to say. They started by building excellent race cars....their cars were pretty dominant at the Indy 500 for about ten years or so, then they decided to build road cars. The road cars were large but used race car technology such as aluminum differential housings and probably things like brake backing plates too. The cars were big but sofisticated and rode and handled well....kindof like a modern Masarati quatroporte, and they were very very fast for their day.

I am no expert on them.

Carleton, that Bugattie looks pretty cool. There are really 12 of them in that area? Surely there were not many more than that ever brought over here?

I imagine they are like Ferraris in that most of those built, survive.

Tom W

Carleton Hughes · #19 10-06-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Fred and Augie. Yes, one died fairly young. I would not have known which to say. They started by building excellent race cars....their cars were pretty dominant at the Indy 500 for about ten years or so, then they decided to build road cars. The road cars were large but used race car technology such as aluminum differential housings and probably things like brake backing plates too. The cars were big but sofisticated and rode and handled well....kindof like a modern Masarati quatroporte, and they were very very fast for their day.

I am no expert on them.

Carleton, that Bugattie looks pretty cool. There are really 12 of them in that area? Surely there were not many more than that ever brought over here?

I imagine they are like Ferraris in that most of those built, survive.

Tom W

Yes,especially when one considers that nearly 700 type 57's were produced from '34 to '39,not to mention the many other types such as the 35,44,etc. Far too useful and drivable to get rid of as they could beat the pants off most musclecars into the '60's at least,very high survival rate.

As I mentioned,always alot for sale.
http://www.bugattipage.com/bsale.htm

whunter · #20 10-06-2007, 11:03 AM

Yes, any of those would fit my garage.

Carleton Hughes · #21 10-06-2007, 12:58 PM

Here's what Bugatti collectors do for fun....Try that with a Duesenberg,you'll throw a rod.

http://www.prewarcar.com/php/showvideo.php?id=100

Hatterasguy · #22 10-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

Here's what Bugatti collectors do for fun....Try that with a Duesenberg,you'll throw a rod.

http://www.prewarcar.com/php/showvideo.php?id=100

Nice!

I bet those torque crazy I8's in the Duesenbergs can do some amazing burn outs though.

daveuz · #23 10-07-2007, 12:26 AM

Here is a story about a race involving the Marx Bros and thier Benz.......http://hooptyrides.blogspot.com/2004/08/pouring-on-coal-pretty-hard.html

t walgamuth · #24 10-07-2007, 07:37 AM

Interesting.

The benz motor was designed for short bursts of use with the blower iirc. Perhaps a sustained top speed run did it in.

Though they were raced extensively in Europe. I bet this one was not tuned correctly. A blown motor has to have the right fuel mix and spot on ignition timing to keep from melting pistons.

Tom W

kramlavud · #25 10-07-2007, 11:23 AM

My No. 1, the Alfa 8C 2900B by Touring as promised
http://www.cromoclassico.com/eng/pebble_05/min_pb_05_19.jpg
regards,
Mark

daveuz · #26 10-08-2007, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramlavud

My No. 1, the Alfa 8C 2900B by Touring as promised
http://www.cromoclassico.com/eng/pebble_05/min_pb_05_19.jpg
regards,
Mark

Wow! that is a beauty!

daveuz · #27 10-08-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Interesting.

The benz motor was designed for short bursts of use with the blower iirc. Perhaps a sustained top speed run did it in.

Though they were raced extensively in Europe. I bet this one was not tuned correctly. A blown motor has to have the right fuel mix and spot on ignition timing to keep from melting pistons.

Tom W

it is a cool story but who really knows the "real story". I am not an expert but I doubt the over a long race very few Autos of that era could compete with a Duesenburgs 420ci 320 hp supercharged Lycoming. Benz being one that could maybe. Here is another good read. "With the use of a supercharger, the top speed increased even further, to nearly 140 mph. Zero-to-sixty took around eight seconds with 100 mph being achieved in seventeen seconds" http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10992/default.aspx

daveuz · #28 10-08-2007, 01:35 AM

I looked up some Benz history. Another good read. The 1935 500K (amazing car ) did its zero to 60 in 16 secs. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z6316/Mercedes-Benz_500K/default.aspx

t walgamuth · #29 10-08-2007, 07:18 AM

The facts are a little hard to fathom out but it is clear that both cars were impressive in their performance.

I think that the J Dusies were never raced in anything near their stock configuration but the Benses were raced in something resembling their stock set up. So comparisons may be a little tough to get to apples to apples.

Suffice it to say that both cars are hugely popular. The racing versions of the 540K may be more valuable than the Dusies but there are only a handful of them around.

Going up to the big fall Auburn auction, Dusies tend to be a little thick on the ground. I have seen perhaps as many as twelve in one place up there in a separate building for displaying special cars. Last time I went , '06, there was a stunning Alpha from the mid thirties that was black or dark blue and a closed coupe with just marvelous lines.

Tom W

OldPokey · #30 10-08-2007, 10:22 AM

My grandmother learned to drive in a Pierce-Arrow. Made in Buffalo, New York. Her father's car was earlier (not to mention larger) than this one - and she said it only had brakes on the rear axle!