1935 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Sedan by Rollston

This 1935 Duesenberg, chassis 2593, is one of 10 updated “JN” models produced and features short-wheelbase convertible sedan coachwork by Rollston. The car was first purchased by Herbert N. Lape, Sr. of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was moved to California sometime before the late 1940s. It then spent time in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, where it was displayed at the Imperial Palace Casino in Las Vegas from 1993 until 1998 when it was returned to California. A refurbishment was performed in the late 1990s before the car was purchased by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation in 2000 and incorporated into the IMS Museum collection. The car has participated in several IPL 500 Festival and F1 USGP pre-race vintage car parades as well as the 2019 ACD Club Reunion car show. Power comes from a 420ci Lycoming straight-eight carrying serial number J-566 and backed by a three-speed manual transmission with reverse, and the car is finished in dark blue with a matching soft top over red leather upholstery. This JN Duesenberg is now offered by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation with a hub wrench, a historical file on the car, IMS Museum purchase documents, and a clean Indiana title listing the car as a 1936 model. The Indianapolis-based Duesenberg Motors Company was acquired in 1926 by E.L. Cord, who instructed Fred Duesenberg to design the finest, fastest, and most powerful American car. The result was the Model J, which debuted on December 1, 1928, at the New York Automobile Salon. Upon its introduction, the Model J carried a price of $8,500 for a bare chassis. Approximately 480 examples were produced through 1937, including 10 revised “JN” models in 1935. Compared to the Model J, the JN featured wider, lower-slung bodywork fitted over the frame rails on a 142.5″ wheelbase. The coachwork was penned by Duesenberg’s chief designer, Herbert J. Newport, and was produced by the Rollston Company of New York City. This JN is one of three to wear a convertible sedan body and was previously finished in red. It underwent a color change to yellow with red fenders under previous ownership before it was refinished in its current dark blue with red pinstripes in the late 1990s. Features include dual taillights, chrome bumpers, cowl-mounted Lorraine spotlights, dual mirrors, right-side external exhaust pipes, and driving lamps. The folding blue convertible top features a glass rear window and is stored under a matching cover. The folding B-pillars were repainted in preparation for the sale, and the bodywork was polished. The JN featured 17″ wheels compared to the 19″ units found on Model Js. The wire wheels wear body-color steel covers with chrome trim rings and Duesenberg center caps, and they are mounted with BFGoodrich Silvertown bias-ply tires. The valve access doors on the wheels were repaired in preparation for the sale, and paintwork was performed on the hubcaps. Matching spare wheels are mounted in hard cases on both front fenders. The suspension features semi-elliptical springs at all four corners, and braking is handled by four-wheel vacuum-assisted hydraulic drums. The cabin features front and rear bench seats that were reupholstered in red leather under prior ownership along with matching door panels and carpets. Features include a marble shift knob, crank windows, dual electric windshield wipers, and a rear robe cord. The three-spoke steering wheel features central hub controls and fronts an engine-turned panel housing a Stewart-Warner 150-mph speedometer and 5k-rpm tachometer, an altimeter, a Jaeger chronograph, and gauges for brake pressure, fuel level, oil pressure, and temperature. Just under 31k miles are shown on the five-digit odometer. Total mileage is unknown. Designed by Fred Duesenberg, the 420ci straight-eight features dual chain-driven overhead camshafts operating four valves per cylinder as well as five main bearings and vibration-dampening cartridges. Production of the engines was completed by Lycoming, and the factory-rated output was 265 horsepower when new. A Stromberg EE-3 carburetor and a Delco-Remy distributor are fitted. Engine serial number J-566 is stamped into the bellhousing as shown above, and matches the crank number according to the seller. Chassis number 2593 can be seen stamped on the firewall. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. The fuel tank was cleaned, coated, and repainted by Gas Tank Renu of Swartz Creek, Michigan, in preparation for the sale. Provided documentation details known ownership history and includes historical photos of the car. Photos of the car participating in several IPL 500 Festival and F1 USGP pre-race vintage car parades can be seen in the gallery. Located inside the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, the IMS Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on the support of visitors, members, donors, and corporate partners to make possible their daily operations, exhibits, restoration and preservation initiatives, and educational programming. To learn more about the IMS Museum and the many ways you can show support, including their “Adopt-a-Car” program, please click here.