Car 2514
1933 Model J Duesenberg 2514, Kirchhoff Town Car Limousine
Engine No.:	J-497 [Picture]
First Coachbuilder:	Kirchhoff
First Body Style:	Town Car Limousine
Wheelbase:	Long
Current Coachbuilder:
Current Body Style:
Original Owner:	Anna Ingraham, Los Angeles
Owner in 1968:	Anthony Pascucci, 128 Paddock Ave, Meriden, CT
Current Owner:	Dwyane ?
References:	Malks, p. 99, 100; Roe, p. 138

 Notes:
As the car appears today; standard bumpers have been re-installed.











Shows the result of adding skirted fenders and replacing the original bumpers with non-standard ones.  From Automobile Quarterly,
Vol. 4, No. 4, p. 361


The coachbuilder, Joseph Kirchhoff, poses with the car, 1933.  Photo from the Kirchhoff estate; also appears in "Duesenberg The Pursuit of
Perfection", p. 138.

Photo from the Kirchhoff estate, 1933.  Provided by Joe Auch.


Photo from the Kirchhoff estate, 1933.  Provided by Joe Auch.


Photo from the Kirchhoff estate, 1933.  Provided by Joe Auch.


Photo from the Kirchhoff estate, 1933.  Provided by Joe Auch.


Photo from the Kirchhoff estate, 1933.  Provided by Joe Auch.

1932 DUESENBERG MODEL J TOWN CAR
COACHWORK BY KIRCHHOFF
Chassis No. 2514
Engine No. J-497
Two-tone dove grey with grey leather in the front compartment and custom silk brocade in the rear compartment
Engine: straight-eight with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, 420ci., 320bhp at 4,200rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual; Suspension: beam axle to front, live axle to rear, half-elliptic leaf springs all around; Brakes: servo-assisted hydraulically operated drums on all wheels. Left hand drive.
The late automotive writer, Ken Purdy, once wrote, The man who had really arrived drove a Duesenberg. It cost him from 6,500 to 25,000 one-hundred-cent-dollars and it looked it. What is more, it acted like it. Nobody driving a stock anything made in America passed a Duesenberg if the Duesenberg was earnest about it. At the heart of that idea was the Model J Duesenberg's massive powerhouse of an engine: complex sporting twin overhead camshafts that controlled four inclined valves, two inlet and two exhaust, per cylinder, displacing 420 cubic inches (6,882 cc). The great five bearing crankshaft alone was reputed to weigh 150 lbs. Even with the modest 5.2:1 compression ratio of the standard engine, the surge of power was awesome, thrusting a phaeton, very completely equipped and no lightweight, from 10-80 mph in top gear in 22 seconds and providing a maximum of 116 mph. Matched to the engine was a very capable chassis, double dropped for a low center of gravity, provided with six sturdy cross-members.
Endless care was lavished on the details. The 150mph speedometer, the combined clock and stop-watch altimeter, barometer and brake pressure dials were highlighted by the famous engine-driven timing box of planetary gears that controlled lights that warned the driver to change the engine oil every 700 miles and check the battery water every 1400 miles, along with other functions.
Duesenberg exercised firm control over the bodies fitted to their chassis', encouraging clients to order coachwork directly from the factory, often with the aid of Duesenberg executive and Cord stylist, Gordon Buehrig. Buehrig made sure that only the best looking bodies went on the Duesenberg chassis'. As a result, the choice of coachwork was limited to a select, elite group of companies that included Murphy, Rollston, Gurney Nutting, Walker, Willoughby, LeBaron and Hibbard and Darrin, and in the case of the chassis offered here, Kirchhoff.
In the early 1930s, Mrs. Anna C. Ingraham, placed an order at the Duesenberg factory for a Long Wheel Base chassis which was to be fitted with a custom one-off luxurious town car body built to her specifications. Mrs. Ingraham resided in Austria, however the family business, The Ingraham Clock and Dollar Watch Companies, was located in the United States. As an avid world traveler, the Countess was accustomed to seeing the world in the most elegant and comfortable of appointments. Accordingly, the Duesenberg was to be purpose built to suit the Countess' high level of comfort expectations during long distance touring whether in Continental Europe, the Americas or across an African Desert.
Following the completion of chassis 2514, the Duesenberg chassis and engine (J497) were shipped to Kirchhoff Coachbuilders in Pasadena.
Prior to setting up on his own, J. Gerald Kirchhoff was the shop foreman at the prestigious firm of Murphy. Kirchhoff's talents were in woodwork in particular and he set out on his own to produce coachwork of the highest quality. Unfortunately, during the Great Depression there was no demand for such work and he produced only a few bodies: one for a Packard chassis, two for Miller Speedsters and two for Duesenberg chassis'. Interestingly, the other Kirchhoff bodied Duesenberg externally appeared almost identical to a Murphy Convertible Sedan, however the structural design was radically different. It was much more substantial and, quite unusually, all of the structural wood was stained, coated and finished - demonstrating Kirchhoff's high standard for his work. 2514 was his last project.
The ornate and stunning detail of this car is without parallel. The rear compartment was upholstered with a specially chosen hand crafted silk brocade floral pattern that was complemented by beautifully crafted bird's eye maple cabinetry, complete with the Countess' initials A. I., hand carved for a personalized touch. All of the interior brightwork, including the two floral light sconces, was plated in 24 karat gold. Every last detail spoke of the highest quality, from the beveled oval rear window to the gold plated floral caps that hid the wood mounted screws, as there could not be anything that displeased the Countess' eye. For convenience, an intercom system from the rear quarters to the chauffeur's front compartment was installed, which naturally was upholstered in a far less extravagant grey leather. The chauffeur did have the option of fully enclosed motoring, or if weather permitted, the top could be cranked back on a gear mechanism that cleanly recessed the front portion into the rear top. In addition to the storage compartments and tool trays on both sides of the front seat, hidden compartments in the floor in both the front and rear were installed for the Countess' jewels and valuables. At the very rear portion of the car near the base of the trunk were two water storage tanks, accessible through keyed doors on either side. These well hidden tanks made for the perfect accessories on any dangerous and long desert crossing!
Following its completion, the Kirchhoff Duesenberg was shipped to the Countess in Europe and was used by her on many excursions, including a tour through Africa, until just prior to the outbreak of World War II. Mr. Kirchhoff recognized that the market for lavish coachbuilt bodies was rapidly dwindling and therefore accepted the Countess' offer to be her personal and worldwide chaffeur.
In the late 1930s the Duesenberg migrated back across the ocean and was housed during the war in the Ingrahams' Connecticut estate. At some point, 2514 was updated with the later style skirted fenders. Upon Anna Ingraham's death, it passed into her nephew's ownership and he used it sparingly. Throughout the 1950s, the Duesenberg was displayed at the Powers Automobile Museum and was eventually sold to them in the early 1960s. By 1965, collector Anthony Pascucci acquired 2514 and it remained in his ownership until the early 1980s when the present owner acquired the car.
When the current vendor purchased the Duesenberg, it was in complete original condition, but in need of restoration. The Pennsylvania specialist firm of Al Pruitt and Sons was commissioned to undertake the laborious and costly nut and bolt restoration. Nearly all of the orginal silk brocade interior had, by this time, faded dramatically. Fortunately, the armrests had been concealed from the light and the brocade was carefully removed and custom duplicated to exactly match the original - all at a tremendous cost. The only major item that had gone missing in all of those years was the Jaeger chronograph. The restoration also included a complete and thorough engine overhaul. Though all of the wood and panels were wonderfully intact and certainly not in need of replacement, each item was stripped and restored to its former glory for the sake of continuity.
The finished product is truly spectacular and, as our words serve only to explain the story of this Duesenberg, we would recommend examining this breathtaking sight with your own eyes. To add to the excitement and appeal of this tremendous example, the Duesenberg has been shown competitively only once since the restoration at an East Coast concours where it scored 100 points. It will undoubtedly be a welcome entry at numerous concours throughout the world. It is also a unique and highly correct matching numbers example. The Kirchhoff Duesenberg is one of the most lavish and luxurious cars we have ever had the pleasure of offering.