The Duesenberg Model J Was One Of The ’20s Priciest Cars – Here is What It Would Value As we speak

The Duesenberg Model J has a ravishing design and racecar-inspired efficiency, but it surely’s largely recognized for being extraordinarily costly. It was constructed with none regard for price, creating a really elegant and exhilarating car simply because the Great Depression was starting. The Duesenberg Model J debuted in December 1928 for $20,000, making it the most costly automotive within the United States on the time. 

In August 2026, $20,000 is the equal of about $392,000. Nobody would argue that this is not an costly automotive when the typical value of a brand new automotive is simply over $50,000. However, we even have loads of supercars and hypercars well beyond this price point, making this quantity not as surprising to modern-day automotive lovers. However, inflation would not inform the entire story. Keep in thoughts that the majority staff had been making $25 to virtually $33 per week, relying on their occupation, again in 1929. That’s about $1,300 to $1,716 a yr. The Duesenberg Model J was out of attain from most Americans and was typically bought by bankers and different high-rollers. 

When the Duesenberg Model J debuted, it was competing towards the likes of Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and Isotta Fraschini. Like different luxurious autos on the time, it was delivered as a chassis moderately than a completely completed automotive, with the chassis alone costing $8,500, or about $166,500 in 2026. Wealthy patrons would then choose a coachbuilder to make a customized physique, so Model Js diversified broadly, starting from speedsters to convertibles to limousines. 

The Duesenberg Model J got here with a 420-cubic-inch dual-overhead-camshaft straight-eight engine that produced 265 horsepower, together with superior suspension and hydraulic brakes. The 1932 Model SJ got here with a supercharged model of the engine that made 325 hp and had 4 exterior exhaust pipes. This resulted in a machine that balanced luxurious, efficiency, and handcrafted type. The Model J and all its variants had been bought until Duesenberg Motors Company went bankrupt in 1937. 

Buying a Duesenberg Model J at the moment will sometimes set you again effectively over $1 million, and the very best examples promote for much extra. A 1931 Model J long-wheelbase coupe bought for $10.34 million, whereas Gary Cooper’s 1935 Duesenberg SSJ fetched $22 million in 2018. Car collector Jay Leno owns a number of Duesenberg’s, together with a 1930 Model J LaGrande Coupe whose long-lost physique was recreated from the unique manufacturing facility plans.