Charismatic And Charming 1936 Duesenberg SSJ Speedster

A beloved and pricey pre-war car that recently fetched $22 million at auction

In the motoring world, just like it is in the fashion or showbiz industries, products have seasons when they perform at their best. At such a time, these products are prime, expensive, luxurious, and highly regarded. They belong to those in society that can afford them.

Duesenberg manufactured cars that were aggressive, beautiful and beloved by the high and mighty. The Duesenberg SSJ Speedster is our vehicle of focus in this episode.

More than 90 years ago and specifically in December 1928, the company labeled this car “The World’s Finest Motor Car,” in an advert. They were probably right, going by its majestic makeup. In those days, a car that used a straight-eight engine to deliver nothing less than 265-bhp was mighty, towering, powerful and worth heaps of praise. It was actually among the best coaches that money could buy.

Things would be challenged and change a short while later when the SJ came around with 320 horses. Then, came the Duesenberg SSJ Speedsters in 1936, of which only two were made. This one was immensely outstanding for its 125-inch wheelbase, as well as a characteristically lightweight sporty body.

The entire process of helping this car garner so much ponies and extreme energy was hectic and an epitome of the day’s engineering. In the recent past, a Duesenberg SSJ owner described it in a rather conclusively satisfactory manner, “The thing about a Duesenberg SSJ, is that it’s an entirely different animal from the J or SJ. It’s an extremely charismatic product.”

When it was sold at the fall of the hammer in August 2018, one Duesenberg SSJ fetched a helluva $22 million, going down in history as the most expensive prewar car to have been sold in an America auction.