| Car 661 | |
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| Engine No.: | 1075 |
| Coachbuilder: | Fleetwood |
| Body Style: | Coupe |
| Original Owner: | Dr. C.E. Beals |
| Current Owner: | |
| References: | Roe, p. 87 |
Notes:
Pictures and text from conceptcars.com
This 1922 Duesenberg has a rare coupe
body built by the coachbuilder Fleetwood. Prior to becoming part of General
Motors in the late 1920's, Fleetwood built bodies for many of the upscale
American automobile manufacturers. This is the only Duesenberg known to
exist with a Fleetwood coupe body and today remains in original condition
throughout. It is one of about 60 extant Model A Duesenbergs.
It was, originally, a literal doctor's coupe, as it was owned by a
Pennsylvania physician, Dr. C.E. Beals. The car later passed to a relative,
Fred McGarvey, in 1931. McGarvey would become one of the longest-term owners
of any Duesenberg, possessing the Model A until his passing in 1975. During
his 44 years of ownership, he maintained the car in essentially origianl and
perfect mechanical condition. He regularly drove it to East Coast meets of
the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club and to other events.
The car was acquired from the McGarvey Estate in 1975 by the Harrah
Automobile Collection, who performed a minor cosmetic restoration. It was
displayed at Harrah's for 11 years, during which time it received its ACD
Club Category One Certification and appeared in Fred Roe's Duesenberg: The
Pursuit of Perfection. Following time as part of collections in Pennsylvania
and Germany, it was acquired by Jim Kaufmann, of Georgia. Kaufmann passed
the car to a friend, who freshened the car slightly and continued to
regularly display and enjoy the car in its original condition.
The car was later acquired by the current owners who treated the car to a
quality restoration. The car was re-finished in the original colors of dark
green with black fenders. Much of the nickel trim was re-plated, and the
interior, which had previously been restored in correct green leather, was
freshened as necessary, including a restored dashboard.
Picture from "Duesenberg The Pursuit of Perfection", p. 87.