J403/2169 -- RM Auction, Hershey 2007
DUESENBERG
HOMEThis automobile is J403/2169. According to the Duesenberg Registry the SWB chassis 2169 originally bore J145. J403 originally powered Gary Cooper's Derham Tourster, but it was discovered to be defective and replaced before Cooper took ownership. The engine was rebuilt and is now paired with this chassis. The body came from J336/2348 and was mounted to this chassis and engine in 1954 by Richard Bell. He sold the car to Swigart in 1958.
The car remained in the Swigart Museum Collection for 49 years. With the passing of both Mr. Swigart and his widow, the car was up for auction at RM's October 2007 Hershey Auction. It sold for $1,650,000. The pictures, below, show the car at the auction preview. The RM description noted that the paint and chrome were good, but showing their nearly 50 year age.
