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Chassis:
Of all Duesenberg Model Js produced just thirty chassis were delivered to European coachbuilders and only one of them to Gurney Nutting. Equipped with a supercharged engine, this J was ordered by Maharajah Holkar of Indore, who was just 28 at the time. The British craftsmen fitted the long wheelbase chassis with a voluptuous speedster body. As the car was destined for a royal career, it received various special touches like chrome flagsticks and red and blue lights on the front fender to indicate whether it was the Maharajah or the Maharanee driving the car.
Upon completition, the car was shipped from London to New York and driven back to Indianapolis by Duesenberg employees. After a final tune-up the Gurney Nutting Speedster was delivered to the Maharajah's Santa Ana, California mansion as there were fears of Japan invading India. After the tensions in the region had dropped, the Duesenberg was shipped from Los Angeles to Singapore and on to India. It remained there until the 1950s when it was brought back to the United States, where it remains to this day.
The highest numbered Duesenberg chassis has been meticulously restored with all the royal touches retained. Owned for many years by the late General William Lyon, it was shown the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where Duesenberg was one of the featured marques, and again in 2012 when the cars of the Maharajahs took centre stage. Following General Lyon’s passing in 2020, it was retained by the Lyon family. In 2023, the Gurney Nutting Speedster won Best of Show at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This qualified the Duesenberg for the The Peninsula Best of the Best. At the newly opened Peninsula London on September 3, 2024, it was announced that the Speedster won this coveted award.
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1935 |
| First owner |
Maharajah of Holkar |
| Last known location |
American Private Collection |
| Appearances |
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SJ Gurney Nutting Speedster
