From 1921 to Pebble Beach: The Art of Duesenberg’s No-Expense-Spared Restoration

Video Description

00:00 - (top) View of entire Duesenberg shop 00:27 - Upholstery and trim (sewing station) 02:08 - Detailing Installation of wooden trim 03:09 - Valentino in his Duesenberg Model A 03:27 - Standard Auto-Electrician’s manual 03:56 - Calibrating odometer or register unit 05:29 - Electrical bench test 06:55 - Doble Model E Steam Car (engine & steam generator) 08:07 - Harness braiding machine 10:19 - Armature winding machine 12:09 - Balance testing 16:54 - The Duesenberg restoration process explained The Duesenberg was an American luxury automobile manufacturer that stood as the ultimate symbol of wealth, power, and engineering excellence during the 1920s and 1930s. Founded by brothers Fred and Augie Duesenberg, the company officially began producing its first passenger car, the Model A, in 1921. These revolutionary vehicles incorporated racing technology such as the first American straight-eight engine and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. The Duesenberg brand reached a legendary peak with the 1928 introduction of the Model J, a car so prestigious and powerful that it inspired the famous American slang term "it's a doozy." Due to the high cost of the vehicle, and the onset of the Great Depression, the company eventually collapsed alongside E.L. Cord’s automotive empire. The final factory-sanctioned car was completed in 1937, although a few remaining chassis were finished by custom coachbuilders as late as 1940. In the US, professional restoration of Duesenbergs is an elite craft that blends obsessive historical research with advanced mechanical engineering to maintain the marque's "no-expense-spared" legacy. Leading experts like Randy Ema in California (who famously acquired the original factory blueprints and archives), and specialized facilities such as the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Co. in Oklahoma, and RM Auto Restoration, treat these vehicles as fine art rather than mere machinery. A concours-level restoration often involves a complete "frame-off" disassembly where every individual nut and bolt is cataloged and refinished to factory-correct standards. The remarkably complex straight-eight engine of the Duesenberg Model J features dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. For this engine, the mechanical rebuilding process alone can take hundreds of hours and require custom fabrication of rare components to ensure the car performs as it did in 1929. Such meticulous efforts are primarily aimed at competing in prestigious events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where authenticity and "blueprinted" precision are the keys to winning "Best of Show." For availability and licensing inquiries, please contact: https://www.globalimageworks.com/contact Ref: MD19