<< Prev Page 2 of 2 After a completely new factory was constructed, production of the Model A commenced halfway through 1921. Even though the initial plan was to produce around 2400 cars per year, production never exceeded one car per day. Duesenberg offered standardised bodies through the factory but, as was the norm in the day, the Model A was also available as a rolling chassis for specialist coach-builders to body. While the racing cars continued to be very successful, Duesenberg struggled to get the road car business profitable and the company gradually headed towards bankruptcy. The company was saved in the fall of 1926 when rival Auburn, owned by the very ambitious Errett Lobban Cord, bought the road car business.
Cord immediately cancelled the evolution of the Model A, the Model X, Fred Duesenberg had in the pipeline for 1927. He had much bigger plans for the company and had Duesenberg develop a much larger and luxurious road car; the legendary Model J. Before the program was cut short, Duesenberg had produced parts for around thirteen Model Xs. These were completed in anticipation of the J's introduction but only served demonstration purposes to keep public interest while the Model J was readied. Very similar to the A, the X featured revised suspension and a slightly more powerful engine with a reverse-flow head. One of the bodies fitted on a Model X chassis would form the inspiration for the later Auburn Speedsters.
Even though the Model A caused a sensation when it was first introduced, it has since been completely overshadowed by the Duesenberg J; universally accepted as one of the finest cars ever produced. Sadly, few people realise today that Duesenberg built anything else than the J. Only a handful of these first eight cylinders have survived; around a dozen of the Model A and only four of the Model X are accounted for. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Model X McFarlan Boat Roadster
After a completely new factory was constructed, production of the Model A commenced halfway through 1921. Even though the initial plan was to produce around 2400 cars per year, production never exceeded one car per day. Duesenberg offered standardised bodies through the factory but, as was the norm in the day, the Model A was also available as a rolling chassis for specialist coach-builders to body. While the racing cars continued to be very successful, Duesenberg struggled to get the road car business profitable and the company gradually headed towards bankruptcy. The company was saved in the fall of 1926 when rival Auburn, owned by the very ambitious Errett Lobban Cord, bought the road car business.