Reviving a Legend: The Duesenberg Attempts

A classic car connaisseur dives into the history of the illustrious high-performance and ultra luxurious Duesenberg! The 1930s Great Depression eventually caught up with the car brand and it vanished. This wouldn't stop people to try and revive this once legendary brand. We are going to look at some of these attempts, like the Kollins LeGrande and the Duesenberg Model D, desinged by none other than Virgil Exner!
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[@dooleyproductions7477]

Would love to see an automation video of a "What if duesenberg survived?" Or "what if the 60s attempt worked" just an idea!

[@GeOzAlien]

I concur! I would also love to see what a modern 2020's Duesenberg would look like, alongside all the previous decades of a what-if Duesenberg.

[@allanoliveira4139]

I was just coming to comment that!

[@AaronOfMpls]

To be fair, if the '60s revival had succeeded, it might well have gotten clobbered by '70s emissions standards and succumbed to the malaise. Still, it would've been _quite_ the neoclassic beauty -- maybe even ushered in the brougham era a bit more quickly in the '60s. A real shame it never got beyond the one prototype! And yah, had the original Duesenberg marque survived, maybe by finding the right enthusiast backer, or through Cord merging with another of the smaller car companies...

[@cabzombie3484]

FABULOUS !

[@widjojohuang7854]

Me too. And also, i would request him with "What if delahaye survived"

[@Marian87]

After the 60s attempt, the newer attempts would have probably had a higher chance of success if they had focused on being a new luxury car with a brand new design that looked to the future and not the past...if they had infinite money probably :p

[@dereksmith6126]

Maybach Mercedes managed.

[@Marian87]

@@dereksmith6126 Yes, but not really. It wasn't a very innovative design even if very luxurious and it stood as a separate brand only for about a decade, now it's just Mercedes moniker for more luxurious models. So it wasn't really a success and of course Mercedes did more than the people that tried to resurrect Duesenberg, they have loads more money.

[@dereksmith6126]

@@Marian87 That's true. It's extremely difficult to resurrect a car brand in the 21st century. And most of the luxury brands used to be chassis + engine with bespoke carriage companies supplying the bodies.

[@darwinskeeper421]

The problem is that, after the 1970s, new Federal regulations made starting a new automotive company a fraught effort. Consider the efforts that died in the process, including Bricklin & Delorean. That's one reason I'm still shocked that Tesla Motors has succeeded as far as it has. I have my own issues with the company, but the fact that they are still in business 16 years after the original Tesla Roadster was introduced is amazing. The fact that they had transitioned to building a luxury sedan and pair of nearly affordable cars and are beginning to compete with established manufacturers is highly impressive. Still, you probably need serious investment backing and a very capable design/engineering staff to make it work. Those things are never easy to obtain.

[@Marian87]

@@darwinskeeper421 The same problem applies to outside the US too. Of course new safety and emission regulations worldwide made developing mass produced cars more expensive, but the Delorean was made in Northern Ireland and Bricklin in Canada, and neither seem to be victims of regulations, more like quality control problems and other weird issues. From what I saw most of the attempts at making cars fail because of poor business practices and poor quality. A lot of new car startups have big ambitions but fail at basic stuff or have crooks at the top. Probably the best route now for an independent car maker is to make low volume cars that are exempt from some regulations in both US and EU. with a design, luxury and/or gimmick that can attract wealthy collectors and create hype. But they need to focus hard at creating a good team of employees that can become the future backbone of the company while also assuring good quality. Then if they show they have a good track record they can try becoming more ambitious and even then the failure rate is high.

[@UberLummox]

That '60s version isn't too bad. It has its good points. It really has that hand-crafted Italian look. I remember seeing pix of that '70s Disco Deusy. What a SAD attempt that was! Another GREAT video as always!!!

[@P_RO_]

Something as outre as the 80's DiNapoli perhaps?

[@UberLummox]

@@P_RO_ Not sure I know that one. After the '70s, I gave up paying much attention!

[@AaronOfMpls]

Yah, that '70s one ... blech! No style at all, really -- more like a luxury-car version of the Family Truckster from _Vacation._

[@Maskless_clips]

I’m a duriect descendent of augie and I have the means to build back should I

[@robertwalsh275]

Worth noting that the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix was an homage to Duesenberg in both styling, and the name Model J. They had the longest hoods in production car history, and were also used as the chassis for the early Stutz Blackhawks

[@MarinCipollina]

Pontiac Grand Prix also had a top of the line sporty SJ model.

[@MarinCipollina]

@@magnatarbeing8749 Yeah.. that was unfortunate..

[@pjrazvoza4343]

Duesenberg produced a total of 481 model js, around 378 of those still survive. Great video!

[@Theover4000]

Genuinely shocked that many lived through the war! Would’ve thought most to have been scrapped for scrap metal! Thanks for the cool fact!

[@Studeb]

Jay Leno is doing a lot to keep the name alive, they are really beautiful vehicles, most other cars from that era have long since peaked in value cause people want to drive the car they dreamed of when they were young, and nobody is alive that did that about these anymore.

[@roxburyranger]

Great job Ed. Duesenberg (and Bugatti for that matter) are brands I have only sketchy knowledge of. This was very informative. BTW, Bill Mitchell is, for me, what Virgil Exner is for you.

[@dereksmith6126]

That 1960s Duesenberg silhouette looks remarkably similar to a Lada Riva!

[@obywatelcane6775]

Hahahaha Lada Riva = 2107 🙂My beater with 1300 under the hood. I can feel appreciated. I have a car like a Duesenberg from the top shelf.

[@horaciokanashiro-hv2zn]

​@@obywatelcane6775 I said something in that line to my ex 🤕

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

The Lada Riva is the Duesenberg of Russian cars.

[@ContinentalFan]

I have an original marketing brochure for the 1960s Dusenberg. Very tasteful it seems, but for that stage it was also pretty light on concept images or tangible goals for the car to sell it enough I think.

[@Mistershredd]

I saw the "Twenty Grand" in person, in the 80s. It was in the JB Nethercutt collection, at San Sylmar. In person, they're so much bigger than you think they're going to be. Just spectacular.

[@klausstock8020]

I think it was a Model J what I saw, maybe 15 years ago. An SUV looks compact in comparison, and while a tall person can still down to the driver of an SUV, I had to throw my head back to look up to the passengers of the Model J. But while my initial thought was "do they need a ladder to get into that car", the elevated seating position is probably comparable to that of in full-size truck. Yup, the running board is not just decoration there!

[@user-jr6sd5tf5e]

I love Duesenbergs since the day, I saw one of them in the Louwman Collection in Den Haag, which was presented like a new car in a showroom. The story behind this brand is so great, I am quite excited to see anything about it. A "What if" Video would be great, like your Edsel episode. If someone would bring Duesenberg back nowadays, it had to compete with Rolls Royce or even a stage higher. Modern Duesenbergs would be the highest range of all.

[@kitko33]

That purple Duesenberg D looks like a sketch for Aston Martin Lagonda :)

[@aceymac]

Wow you just explained the whole neo-retro motorcycle market (and why it keeps coming back every 20 years). Thank you Ed!💡

[@timothyokane9710]

Always enjoy your presentations, I believe a couple of attempts at reviving Cord happened during the 60s , one with a Ford v8, and one with a Corvair motor. Something to think about for another future episode in your Ed's auto Reviews.

[@peterb666]

Great video. The probably wasn't much of a "jetset" in 1929.

[@railtrolley]

Propeller set.

[@klausstock8020]

@@railtrolleyYes, I bet every kid with a propeller beanie would have wanted a Duesenberg!

[@Low760]

Great work ed! I've never got into these but have interest in other 30s cars. Wow the 60s design is awesome.

[@AaronOfMpls]

Indeed -- quite the beauty to kick off the brougham era a few years early. 😀

[@feralkitty33]

I can no longer look at the 70s continental the same way

[@kiefershanks4172]

Ok, that concept sketch at the end of the video actually looks cool as hell and something that the ultra rich in today's world would absolutely buy. Dusenberg Hawthorne... too cool.

[@mattskustomkreations]

I saw Exner’s Deusenberg II at the ACD Museum in Auburn, IN… in the same building as shown at 21:55. Beautiful car, one of my favorites.

[@willcrockett6707]

Excellent job on the video, Ed! This is one of your all-time best. Thanks for the outstanding work.

[@kennethswain6313]

I always look forward to your presentations. This is a great start for the new year thanks

[@rodoherty1]

I love your passion for these cars, Ed.

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, ED! A real 'Deusey' of an episode.

[@FredPilcher]

Love your work, Ed! Full of information presented in a humorous way. 🙂

[@kevinmcgoff2235]

This is the channel I wish most of all would blow up! Always great videos. The only channel I make sure I hit the thumbs 👍 on each and every video. Keep it up Ed, big fan here!

[@mikehenson819]

Excellent video Ed. I had no idea there were so many attempts to revive the car. I was aware of the first attempt, but not the others. Thanks for sharing!

[@Donald_Shaw]

Ed, thanks so much for all the research and interesting side notes you made in this video. Always enjoy your videos.

[@horaciokanashiro-hv2zn]

💯% agree 👍

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Ed. This was quite good and informative. You really did your homework on this video. You could clearly see the GM roots on the 1970's attempt. I am glad you pointed this out. It would take money to bring the brand back and who would it appeal to in 2023? It is gone, but it is not forgotten as you said. The 1960's attempt was way out of control. It was interesting to learn the Chrysler roots are so deep. I again thank you.

[@silvermanandbuddy5111]

Your videos are so informative while being extremely entertaining always look forward to your next. Great work keep it up ❤❤

[@machpodfan]

You told the tale in an excellent way--but you always do! Great post!

[@jumpjetcaptain495]

This a Dusey of a video! Loved every second!

[@tombrown1898]

Great video, Ed! That Exner exercise was far better than his final project, the Stutz Blackhawk. As for car stylists, my choices would be Elwood Engle, and especially Bill Mitchell. I wonder if the revivalists approached Gordon Buehrig, the designer of the original Twenty Grand Duesenberg. He was very much alive then.

[@mattskustomkreations]

I like the early Stutz Blackhawks (70-71)

[@TooLooze]

I always thought the Stutz looked like a Grand Prix. @@mattskustomkreations

[@mattskustomkreations]

@@TooLooze it was initially based on the Grand Prix, so….

[@BigMaxGames]

What a Great video... thanks for putting this together

[@JasonavHumpreyBoogart]

As a car design enthousiast I could apreciate all temptive Reboot of Dusenberg

[@allenwayne2033]

Another great vid Ed!

[@donedwards6414]

Ed, another excellent fascinating report. Love your "Automotive Series" videos.

[@alexandrecorelli7179]

Great video ! This brand has to live again !

[@geebs76]

The grille of the late 70's attempt looks like Clark Griswold's kid customized the Family Truckster.

[@joegarcia54]

A great combination of humor and educational. Superb.

[@SexyThyme]

Im from near where these were built.. i randomly met a member of the family. He showed me a dusenberg he was restoring in his garage.

[@AaronSpielman]

Terrific video, Ed!

[@TheClintb17]

Thanks ED for another awesome video, great content, more please cheers CB 🇦🇺👍

[@scottragland9899]

thx for this new drop, ed! ran thru almost all your priors, been longing for new observations on autoworld from you, fren! plz keep em coming, brother!

[@Kiddman32]

Terrific video, as always!

[@kerzwhile]

Absolutely LOVE this!! 😊 watched it twice! 😁

[@SauceMan48]

This was the best vid I've seen from this guy.

[@BEATNIKMACHINE]

Thanks Ed, always good to watch a well informed doozy video

[@gratefulot360]

Great work, Ed!

[@GunnarMiller]

Very nice episode. I think that for a time a few years ago, Gary Cooper's 400 hp SSJ was the most expensive classic car ever auctioned at $22 million. Note that the term "jet set" didn't emerge until the advent of commercial jet air travel in the '50s ... the target market for the Düsenbergs of the '20s was the "smart set" or "socialites". You are to be commended for not even daring to utter the name "Zimmer" ;-)

[@klausstock8020]

If you own a Duesenberg, you belong to the jet set. Period. While commercial air travel by jet, or, as the Germans say, by "Düsentriebwerk" ("Duesentriebwerk" if your keyboard lack umlauts) wasn't a thing yet back in the days, it was already present in the "Jetmountain" name. And yes, I'm also happy about the lack of mentioning Zimmer received 😉

[@assorted-rubbish4070]

Ed you are my favorite car history channel hands down.. just an fyi, I know I was sub' before but today saw I wasn't (of course i re sub'd). Also ROFL on the "You can live in a car but you can't race a house".. All blessings to you our friend... keep the great content coming, love your style!!!

[@KengKengSijang]

Duesenberg model SJ... This car made me a car enthusiast.

[@klausstock8020]

1980s Ferrari owner: "My Ferrari has 300 hp!" 1930s Duesenberg SJ owner: "Hold my beer." Ferrari owner: "That thing is ridiculous...the air drag...and I wonder how it handles..." Duesenberg owner: "Wanna find out? You can meanwhile park your Ferrari in the trunk." The engine was so much ahead of its time that quite a few technical details entered the mass market as late as the 1990s. With 36 SJs built, it was also a much bigger success than the (albeit more iconic) cheaper Pierce-Arrow Silver-Arrow (5 built).

[@michaelvachon1334]

Very well done!

[@erichaheidrich4593]

Great story. Well done.

[@TopaT0pa]

amazing as always

[@PLANETIA01]

I just love your channel her. So informative for car enthusiasts like me. Kepp up up the great wok, we all appreciate it. :) DM.

[@starflyt1150]

Ed, it’s amazing how a guy who wears wooden Nikes, or is it Pumas, can produce such great videos. I look forward to seeing whatever you’re creating, you are a genius.

[@Primus54]

Excellent and entertaining video. Well done! 👍👍👍

[@Low760]

This video has me wanting to look up the Chrysler vs Lincoln vs Caddilac video, hopefully it's a review!

[@adrianrutterford762]

Wonderful and interesting video. Thank you

[@bekirkl4658]

Its amazing that the car industry have so much history that it doesnt feel like its going to end

[@CSltz]

I was really surprised to see the style of the D. But without white walls? Oh the humanity!!

[@jamesengland7461]

Great video!

[@BriskBounty7]

Love your videos

[@osagejon8972]

As always nicely done Ed. Check out "House of Packard" as there are two fellas reviving Packard. I checked out their prototype and show room yesterday in Medina ,Ohio USA. Interesting and exciting, they even have tentative plans to build their own engines!

[@MarinCipollina]

Yeah, but plans are cheap. Everyone has plans.. The crunch is always financing with these endeavours.

[@pipedreamin]

I’ve seen a few stories on that, I think it is a marketing gimmick to promote his watches, internet service and other businesses the guy has and just a way to grab some headlines for publicity. I’d honestly be surprised if he has real plans to go into anything that could be considered production.

[@tuck6464]

Everybody has plans , until they get punched in the wallet hard enough.@@MarinCipollina

[@TheTransporter007]

Very nice!

[@jamesdeath3477]

Very good!

[@hairyporter6736]

In Germany Duck Tales' Gyro Gearloose is called Daniel Düsentrieb and I always thought about Duesenberg even though they don't relate to each other.

[@cokemachine5510]

Amazing, i had a fascination with 4 door t birds. Had a 71 by accident. Then 2 68s. There's your Duzenburg. The 71 probably? Great memories, thanks 👍

[@qmusclecars]

Great video. thank you.

[@northstar9797]

Great video. I seem to recall that Johan model corporation made some scale models of the revival cars from the 60s -70s. Interesting designs for the times

[@johnfields4414]

Supergoede aflevering! Love it!

[@DSP1968]

An excellent summary of the history of the Duesenberg, Ed. I always wonder if that ersatz Cadillac Fleetwood still exists. I know the Exner-designed version does.

[@bartmix8994]

Most great things fade away and are forgotten, never to return. Unfortunately, the Duesenberg is one of those things. Thanks for the video, it was a good watch. It will be interesting to see how transportation changes in the last third of my life. Maybe there will be some type of fuel cell and other advances which a surge of new and more interesting design.

[@steviethek1511]

Another awesome video Ed. Your production and narration are always a welcomed distraction from the daily grind. Two things: Anyone out there with a couple billion lying around may want to consider reviving this name as an ultra luxurious electric vehicle to commemorate Dusey’s upcoming 100th anniversary; and if you do, Ed and myself are entitled to a percentage of that success as an artistic inspiration fee. 😆

[@deathmetalchili6902]

YES!!!!!! STOKED!!!!!!

[@klasseact6663]

I actually got to see that 60's prototype at a cars and coffee (Fuel Fed car club)in downtown Winnetka Illinois a couple years ago and yes, it's a HUUUGE car❗️

[@TheDejael]

I love Virgil M. Exner's 1966 Duesenberg design! Beatiful, elegant, luxurious, and expensive looking with a modern futuristic style with styling cues from the original classic Duesenbergs. He did very well with the Forward Look Imperials of 1955-1966, with a similar design motif concept. Sure, it looked a bit like a Lincoln Continental, but even better. It's a real shame the company could not come up with the millions they needed to put it into production. Thankfully, the one-off prototype built in 1965, after changing hands a few times over the years, eventually was purchased by classic concept car collector Joe Bortz in Chicago.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

That 1958 custom is pretty freaking sweet. It's like a blend of a bunch of different cars mashed together, but somehow it works. The more I see custom cars like that, the more I want to build my own. I've got ideas, and I'm pretty good at fabrication. So all I need is time, money and a garage to work in. And of course a vehicle to start with. Definitely an older, body on frame vehicle that has a decent steering and suspension setup. Then choose a drivetrain. After that, work out the placement of the interior components. Then form a body around it. Yeah, I can do that. Just need a lot of money and about 10 years to execute it. I might be done before I'm too old to drive it 😅😢 yeah

[@StaredownGames]

I just went to the Duesenberg Museum and it was SO much cooler than I thought it would be! There are 1 of 1 cars in there!

[@Chris-ly9st]

love your videos! have you ever thought about doing a video on fleet cars?

[@DerMedivh]

Not too far from where Im located is a car museum. I visited it for a corvette event, but of course I would go to see the rest of the regular exhibition. 2nd floor, I was absolutely baffled. A black model SJ in quite preem condition. Just like that. What a beauty

[@caspaabriel4794]

Ed good job on this one. 1966 Duesenberg had all the hype. Popular Mechanics did 3 or 4 page article in 66. In terms of looks, there were some great elements in the design. But too, there were acouple of majors fundermental floors. Most obvious are the rear wheel arches. The profile is actually higher thar the front wheel arches, immediately putting the overall design way out of proportion. Front leading edges of front fenders are so wide they appear almost pontoonish. Lincoln did it how it should be.

[@Friedbrain11]

That '66 Model D looks so good! Sold! I'll take one heheheheh. That Stutz looks good too!

[@pdalia100]

The Dusenburg Museum in Auburn Indiana is really worth a trip for anyone interested in beautiful cars. It is located in the original corporate facility pictured in this video!

[@DuesenbergJ]

Great video.

[@domingodeanda6113]

That was pretty damn good.

[@SelectCircle]

This video brought back my lifelong depression - after having recently overcome it. 8 /

[@vandelayofficial492]

Its amazing how comparatively successful the Stutz revival was in the same time frame.

[@constillustrus]

Nice one!!!!

[@welleffitthen]

You have to go to the Auburn, Cord, duesenberg museum in Auburn Indiana. Excellent museum, went there a few years ago, i imagine exceptional now. When i was there even had a couple tuckers as well as a great collection of cars. You won't regret it!

[@dankgankster4100]

Having grown up around Auburn, Indiana, I took for granted how much automotive history I had around me. Right before this video released I had just finished my tour of the Duesenberg museum and the Auto & Truck museum right next to it. Cheap entry, beautiful displays. Highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Indiana. This state sucks but at least we have a rich automotive history

[@Socialistplaneguy]

yes.

[@theGee64]

Great video! The shadow black and white small car pic used in the video several times is Russian Lada / Fiat. Funny.

[@Voltor07]

Packard also had a straight 8, the difference was that Duesenberg had a larger stroke, leading to a taller block.

[@garyjust.johnson1436]

Do the Hispano Suiza story next! The Brass Era should not be forgotten!

[@kayvan532000]

That 1970's Cadillac Brougham seemed much nicer than the Duesenberg copy. That Caddy is a legend.

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

400HP...in the 1950s? That is IMPRESSIVE! For context, the fastest modern car I ever owned was a 2011 392 Challenger (SRT). 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. It only came with 485 Horsepower and that was enough to make an almost 6,000 pound car move that fast. I have a 6500 pound RAM truck right now that gets by on 385HP, and during the Malaise era, some cars had 90 or less HP. I am shocked that anyone could make 400 horsies gallop all the way back in the 1930s!! I want one!

[@hendo337]

The first 400hp production car was the 1959 Mercury 430MEL Super Marauder.

[@GreenHornet553]

Excellent video Ed. Speaking of defunct car brand revivals, what's your thoughts on the recent announcements to revive both DeLorean and Packard?

[@jerbear7952]

Delorean has been in operation for years. They are just small.

[@Lu-KN]

8:09 I like the DUESY behind the grill :)

[@earllince4650]

Great production! Beautiful cars. Thanks! In the video you mention extermely high class people from the 1920 and 30s being part of the "Jet Set". Actually I have a book about the origins of the term Jet Set and it evolved with the introduction of the Jet aircraft...late 1950s and 1960s. The book is called Jet Set, The People. The Planes The Glamour in Aviation's Glory Years. By William Stadiem - Interesting read!