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The Duesenberg SJ Speedster 1935 with body by Gurney Nutting was voted Best Show at the 2023 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este which was held last weekend on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como.
Known among collectors as Maharaja’s Duesy, the car was the final of the 36 SJ made by coachbuilder Gurney Nutting, and originally commissioned by Indore’s Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar of India, who was then 28 years old.
According to his son, Richard Holkar, Maharaja embraced modernism, and this extends to this car collection that includes Bentleys, Rolls-Royce, Delage, Bugatti and Duesenberg.
Being an SJ, its Duesenberg features a supercharged version of the company’s 420-cubic-inch straight-8, good for around 320 hp. Paired with a 3-speed manual transmission, this engine is capable of propelling the car up to 104 mph in second gear. Top speed is estimated at around 136 mph. This car is also unique because it has a wicker steering wheel.
1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster – Photo credit: Mate Boer Photography/Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
The car has changed hands several times over the years. According to Concorso organizers, it returned to the US in 1959 after being purchased by California residents. It ended with its current owner in the late 1980s.
As well as winning the trophy, the organizers of the Concorso also presented the owner with a unique A. Lange und Söhne 1815 Chronograph with a white gold finish.
While it is difficult to determine the value of the car, Duesenbergs today usually attract multi-million dollar bids at auctions.
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