Duisenbergs The Name Belies A Fine European Touring Vehicle
Recall the images of the classic touring cars and automobiles that you have seen in the wonderful o fantasy musical movies of the 30's and you will have the classic for ever touring buggy - the Dusenenberg fine motor vehicle. To this day may insist that due to its Germanic Teutonic name the "Duesy" must of course be a European automotive product of the highest pedigree and vintage.
What is seldom appreciated is that the mighty Duesenberg motor car clan was derived from rather more humble beginnings - an earlier more mundane production model - the much less glamorous Model "A" Duesenberg. Even though not considered such a classic of note as later Model J and the supercharged Model SJ 1932 Duesenbegs , was basically a very good car that introduced a later standard in the auto market - hydraulic brakes.
The Duesenberg J was the creation of Mr. Errett Lobban Cord , who gained management and ownership control of the Duesenberg Motor Company of Indianapolis in 1926 and made it an integral component of its his Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg empire. This great automotive industry pioneer said himself many times that his vision was to father a home gown domestic American car that was as best as the world could produce. To this day many would still believe that the Duesenberg was of course of European - German, American or perhaps Italian vintage and origins. Even the name of the automotive creation Duesenberg belies this point and viewpoint.
Why was it that it took a luxury high end automotive series of products to bring the Duesenberg line of motor vehicles to the automotive historical forefront and not the innovations of the racing car brothers ? First as always is cost - that is in relation to its marketplace. Always consumers and car buyers look and compare a vehicle for purchase to other products in its market segment and niche. Its a price comparison process to the "competition" and competitive vehicles in the auto transportation marketplace. The Model A was priced over the budget of most car buyers - a hefty seven to 8 thousand dollars - which was a very large sum in the eras of the roaring 1920's. Also add historical happen-chance to the mix. After all this was the era post World War 1. It was not only Duesenberg which suffered from the associated stigma of a Teutonic Germanic nameplate. The Chrysler Corporation as well suffered from the same automotive marketing issues to the American motoring public and communities.
What happened to the Model A's ? The Dusenberg company continued production well into the 1920's while at the same time producing more exotic flagship J models. Approximately 650 were finished and delivered by the automotive works. It can be summarized and held that the car had an outstanding auto competition record - winning the French Grand Prix as well as fully three Indy 500's during the decade of the 20's. In addition the Model A actually had the world record for breaking the land speed record. The Dusenberg stable itself was the dominant name in American car racing during the 1920's. No doubt that helped the market place reputation of the Duesnenberg clan product line . The Model A had the record of a full 3000 non stop endurance event at average speeds of greater than 60 miles per hour. Tires of course not being the steel belted radials that we take for granted on our highways today were not the norm , and had to be changed on the racing track auto repair pit. Still all in all in spite of the achievements and products gleaned from the racing expertise and experiences of the two Duesenberg racing brother team it is the luxury touring motor cars that are in the mind of most automotive minds and memories not the more humble Duesenberg Model A motorcars. - 21392
What is seldom appreciated is that the mighty Duesenberg motor car clan was derived from rather more humble beginnings - an earlier more mundane production model - the much less glamorous Model "A" Duesenberg. Even though not considered such a classic of note as later Model J and the supercharged Model SJ 1932 Duesenbegs , was basically a very good car that introduced a later standard in the auto market - hydraulic brakes.
The Duesenberg J was the creation of Mr. Errett Lobban Cord , who gained management and ownership control of the Duesenberg Motor Company of Indianapolis in 1926 and made it an integral component of its his Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg empire. This great automotive industry pioneer said himself many times that his vision was to father a home gown domestic American car that was as best as the world could produce. To this day many would still believe that the Duesenberg was of course of European - German, American or perhaps Italian vintage and origins. Even the name of the automotive creation Duesenberg belies this point and viewpoint.
Why was it that it took a luxury high end automotive series of products to bring the Duesenberg line of motor vehicles to the automotive historical forefront and not the innovations of the racing car brothers ? First as always is cost - that is in relation to its marketplace. Always consumers and car buyers look and compare a vehicle for purchase to other products in its market segment and niche. Its a price comparison process to the "competition" and competitive vehicles in the auto transportation marketplace. The Model A was priced over the budget of most car buyers - a hefty seven to 8 thousand dollars - which was a very large sum in the eras of the roaring 1920's. Also add historical happen-chance to the mix. After all this was the era post World War 1. It was not only Duesenberg which suffered from the associated stigma of a Teutonic Germanic nameplate. The Chrysler Corporation as well suffered from the same automotive marketing issues to the American motoring public and communities.
What happened to the Model A's ? The Dusenberg company continued production well into the 1920's while at the same time producing more exotic flagship J models. Approximately 650 were finished and delivered by the automotive works. It can be summarized and held that the car had an outstanding auto competition record - winning the French Grand Prix as well as fully three Indy 500's during the decade of the 20's. In addition the Model A actually had the world record for breaking the land speed record. The Dusenberg stable itself was the dominant name in American car racing during the 1920's. No doubt that helped the market place reputation of the Duesnenberg clan product line . The Model A had the record of a full 3000 non stop endurance event at average speeds of greater than 60 miles per hour. Tires of course not being the steel belted radials that we take for granted on our highways today were not the norm , and had to be changed on the racing track auto repair pit. Still all in all in spite of the achievements and products gleaned from the racing expertise and experiences of the two Duesenberg racing brother team it is the luxury touring motor cars that are in the mind of most automotive minds and memories not the more humble Duesenberg Model A motorcars. - 21392
posted by X - Men @ 4:31 PM
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