The Castle Duesenberg: Luxury Legend - A History of the First Passenger Duesenberg

Duesenberg Added to NHVR: • 1921 Duesenberg and 19...
The Castle Duesenberg is a 1921 Straight Eight which was the first passenger Duesenberg sold to the public. This was the brand’s first foray into a combination of performance and luxury in a road car which set the foundation for the Duesenberg brothers to create one of the most luxurious and exclusive automotive brands to ever exist. To commemorate this iconic American car brand, we inducted the Castle Duesenberg / 1921 Duesenberg Straight Eight as the 27th car added to the National Historic Vehicle Register.
Watch the full documentary to learn the story behind the Duesenberg Brothers, how their company grew and eventually faded away, and how the Castle Duesenberg survived to this day to tell the story of the grandest eras in America’s automotive history!
Presented in partnership with:
@Hagerty : www.hagerty.com/
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum : automobilemuseum.org/

[@CrazyPetez]

As a teen, my friend’s uncle had a Model J roadster, with a Murphy body. My friend, his uncle, and I were a very tight fit in the front seat. 3 or 4 girls rode in the rumble seat, while we rode around San Francisco. It’s a wonderful memory.

[@johnburch6927]

Wow! What an experience that had to have been.

[@tomshiba51]

I've physically seen Cords, and an Auburn replica, but I have never laid eyes on a Duesenberg. Someday I shall visit the museum.

[@mattskustomkreations]

Deusenbergs are simply stunning when seen in person. For one thing, they are HUGE! Pictured without people next to or in them, you don’t realize this so easily.

[@ericschulze5641]

Go see the Staley collection in upstate NY Norwich I believe. I had the privilege of a private tour at his farm in deyruyter I just stopped by! at that time in the 80s he told me his collection was worth 30 million

[@ImTHATguy...]

The way that car sits/looks is just incredible. I love it.

[@alexkalish8288]

The Auburn cord dusenburg museum is a must see for anyone that has ever wanted to see the best in american engineering of that period. The cars are art with power thrown in. The museum itself is an art deco masterpiece perfectly preserved. The Auburn's blew me away - they are gorgeous. My grandfather had a 1936 Cord in the depression.

[@plhebel1]

Back in the 1980's I drove a semi truck and was delivering a load in Auburn, In. I think I was told about the museum from one of the workers where I was being unloaded. I went to the museum and saw all these old, historic, works of class. My father told me a Dr that lived next to him when my dad was a boy, got a new Cord and it was really something, retractable headlamps, super charged straight 8 engine. I fell in love with the Cord, Duesenberg that day.

[@rodneycarey44]

What an amazing look back in time. I understand how some may only see an “old car” but these were cars when cars were a luxury and not just a disposable tool in our everyday lives today. An absolutely beautiful creation and the history surrounding it is important to be remembered as well. THANK YOU!!

[@deanlutgert8292]

The museum is worth visiting I've been there it is awesome it contains the most beautiful cars I have ever seen

[@missyg6309]

Beautifully made video. The historical details from the knowledgeable narrators made the past come alive.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Well made, and it covered the history accurately, as between the Great Depression & the Return to Normallicy after WWII, these luxury cars were rightly viewed as examples of Obscene Wealth. By the Retern to Normalicy, the Duesenberg had become so outated that they were colectors items as much better passenger cars were available new, which is why so many still exist. However, the Duesenbergs are a horrible car to drive even by 1950s standards with non-syncromesh gear boxes, no power steer so that you had to be a strong man to drive one, etc. etc....

[@missyg6309]

Have you driven a Duesenberg ? Or even ridden in one?

[@zollotech]

Definitely need to visit this museum. Thanks for the great video.

[@kathrynpetersen9786]

Great video. My husband's uncle was an artist and gave us a painting of a Duesenberg for our wedding. Beautiful car ❤️

[@kathrynpetersen9786]

@Norm Macdonald Ruminations Nope just a lucky lady. Wish I could post it here.

[@kennethpotts4341]

Was born and raised in Auburn, IN. Every Labor Day people come from all over the world to the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg (ACD) reunion. Many bring their own vintage automobiles. It is a great time to see these fantastic cars.

[@bruceanderson9461]

As a 10 year old boy in Jackson, Minnesota I used to frequent Edie Sirovy’s body shop. He had a Duesenberg that had had it’s body cut off just behind the front seat and some boards placed on the back for it to be used as a farm truck. I always marveled at the massive engine. Edie never got it restored but I have learned that it is now fully restored and saw correspondence between Edie and the then owner at my age of 10. I am 69 now, so it was a while ago. They were very special automobiles and I have visited the Auburn Cord Duesenberg museum in Indianapolis several times and it is well worth your time.

[@gynat5968]

A wonderfiul example of top tier storytelling. Thanks for sharing the the story of the Castle Duesenberg with a narrative execution worthy of the subject itself. Job well done to all involved.

[@graemehaynes5986]

Thanks

[@yettobseen]

Amazing! And a pleasure to young men taking up the guard of such an important time in automobile history. And the Castle Duesenberg is a stunner. Thank you

[@wkeena]

Great story about a fantastic car and company. Fred and Augie are still amazing people.

[@Porsche996driver]

Wonderfully produced video on the history of this car and Duesenberg racing, engineering, and marketing. I used to wonder why they were sometimes referred to in the Cord/Auburn/Duesenberg group. They certainly were the model for “racing improves the breed.” 🏁 Fresh appreciation and put the museum on my travel list!! 💯

[@joeseeking3572]

An impressive car in person - if near Auburn, you must see the ACD museum. ACD models, but so much more as well. For any serious auto aficionado, this is almost a pilgrimage. (If you're visiting Chicago, you can land there, drive to South Bend, see Studebaker, stay the night and wander around Notre Dame, then do ACD and a companion museum the next day & be back in the city by that evening)

[@alanbuddle1041]

In

[@elwoodblues715]

That museum is a gem. I have been there many times and never get tired going there. I love looking at all the beautiful cars they have. This year, I will travel from Milwaukee back to Auburn for a ride in an Auburn. Hopefully next year i will be getting a ride in a Duesenberg. That will be a dream come true.

[@mattskustomkreations]

Simply stunning. 100 years later. Had never heard of this car. I have been to ACD Museum though. Well worth the trip... especially during the Auburn-Cord-Deusenberg days celebrations.

[@mattskustomkreations]

@Harrison Ashley absolutely, the building is gorgeous.

[@carolinenorman9997]

Wow wouldn't it be nice to see theses on the roads again . Thanks for keeping them around for generations to enjoy . Those are the real Auto mobiles .

[@505197]

I live in Southern Indiana, and have been saying for years I am going to visit that museum. I have been to the Speedway museum a lot of times, but never to the one in Auburn. What a good video, I really appreciate it being posted.

[@visitdekalbindiana]

You should plan a visit to Auburn! ;)

[@jasondarling0629]

I moved to NE-IN over 20 years ago and haven't been to the Museum yet. I'm embarrassed to say it's only 20 minutes from my house.

[@WryGrass100]

505197. Just do it! We've visited twice from down south, already. You'll love it.

[@shawmcgee1531]

Theres another museum a few kilometers south of Auburn. One side is 1940s military equipment , lost of support as well as combat vehicles. The other side is a eclectic blend of Hollywood show cars, racers, and experimental stuff. South at Richmond in the Wayne County museum is a collection of pre1920 cars from exclusively Indiana based automakers. Bounce over to Kokomo and the Hayes family mansion was converted into a museum of the Hayes automobile company. If I checked I believe S Bend, and Anderson sport some small collections as well.

[@hugonubario]

I always loved the 20's-30's luxury cars! they have something unique that even a rolls-royce coudn't match and the duesenberg is on top of the list!

[@aidenduval1492]

Duesenberg and Cadillac were and are the best luxury cars of the 19th century

[@hugonubario]

@@aidenduval1492 you mean 20th century

[@aidenduval1492]

@@hugonubario both centuries

[@hugonubario]

@@aidenduval1492 19th century= 1800's 20th century= 1900's

[@aidenduval1492]

@@hugonubario I now see my error

[@antonyjiricka8480]

Fantastic video!! It's literally one of my favorite KZbin videos! Clearly, I am pretty late to the party, but I am still glad I got to see it! Thank you

[@jimrogers9253]

thank you for your stewardship of this wonderful american story. JDR

[@kurtoelmann1714]

Thank you very much for posting. This is a beautiful car, amd your mini-film is wonderfully done, from the historic narrative to the lovely contemporary architecture. Thanks again, this is a beautiful production.

[@opera93]

Thanks, I was born and raised around WARSAW INDIANA for 69 years: AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG,Indy 500, Studebaker, etc., are incredible Stories, & of History....... interestingly their are a lot of nice vehicles around Helena Valley MT WHERE we relocated....

[@seangoodman665]

Dusenberg, perhaps the greatest of them all. Great presentation.

[@metvelle]

Seen this car in person.. it's gorgeous. I live 20 minutes from the museum, they have ACD fest every year and you get to see the auburns cords and duesenbergs on the streets and driving around

[@heaven-is-real]

The Castle Deuesenberg is priceless !!!

[@davidwilkie9551]

A historical step along the way of automotive design and engineering.

[@rvrschrs64]

I am a 76 year old car nut, and while entranced with Indycar, F1, and sports cars, I have always been enthralled by Duesenberg, that seemed to me to be the American analog of Bugatti. Both excellent, but very different. In my teens I was an avid plastic model builder. I did a lovely SJ Duel Cowl Phaeton in yellow. After reading about the short wheelbase SSJ built in only 2 examples for, I believe from memory, Gary Cooper and Clark Gable, I purchased another kit and "customized" to make my own SSJ in pale blue.

[@whammond511]

That’s an incredible gift! An incredible story and incredible automobile!! I am going to really enjoy seeing it the next time I’m at the ACD!!

[@rexjohnson9878]

I parked my Auburn near this car at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg annual reunion in Auburn Indiana in September of 2021. I drove into Eckhard Park, swung to the left where I was to park, put my car in reverse and saw this car, the one, the only Castle Duesenberg slightly downhill from the spot I was reversing into. As I was backing up I nearly had several heart attacks. All I could think of was if my brakes fail there was one tree between me and this car. I was completely fully prepared to crash my car into the tree if anything went wrong to make absolutely certain that this car was preserved. Operating a vehicle near this car was the most nerve-wracking driving I've ever done. I was probably traveling one mile per hour in reverse but it seemed way too fast near this beauty. Because this car was downhill from my car, I still put wheel chocks on my wheels just to be sure!

[@aaronbehindbars]

This is on my bucket list of places to visit. I knew, through my father's best friend, a gentleman by the name of Gary Vick who had been involved with the ACD Museum and, at one time, owned the former home of E.L. Cord. My dad's friend did some of the restoration work on his '29 Model J. I was in my early teens when this was done back in the mid 90's, so I have a fairly faint recollection of the car. I remember them replacing the wood on the running boards and using Texas mesquite wood which has a beautiful grain and finish. Most of these cars seem to be in private collections or museums, so I now realize how much of a privilege it was to be around that and some of his other vehicles (Auburn, Cord). This 1921 model featured here might be the best looking Duesenberg I have seen. I love it!

[@deltavee2]

Well done story on the Castle Car and the brothers and their cars. I enjoyed every second, so a thumbs-up and a new subscription were obviously the moves to make. You deserve more than 6.5K subscribers. Now I dig, looking hopefully for a backlog. And yes, it was the Deusenberg name that caught my eye. A century later the name still has power. *EDIT ten minutes later:* Just went to your main page, put the monster pile of videos in order (click on Videos, then click on how you want them sorted on the R. side) and found the large This Car Matters section starting seven years ago. Lockdown or not I will be watching it from first to last post. Thank you *Hagerty!*

[@autohut3720]

Just found this channel and what an excellent quality of production and information

[@HagertyDriversFoundation]

Glad you enjoyed it! We'll have plenty more to come :)

[@email4664]

@@HagertyDriversFoundation Please do, as this was brilliant, and a really nice way to spend some time

[@PaulRoberts61877]

I learned about 27min and 18sec of new things from this film.. TY for getting this out there. I have personally seen more Duesenbergs than anyone I know and this edit rocks.

[@jeffsavage4486]

Absolutely a beautiful story of a automobile thank you for sharing this video thank you for what you and your people are doing !!

[@CSDonohue11]

Just amazing. The story , the history, the vehicle itself, then you add the History. WOWZERZ

[@kiwihame]

Yet another truly awesome video. I love you Hagerty. Thank you!

[@grahamrankin]

Superb video of a quality commensurate with the ethos and vision of the Duesenberg brothers. Quite magnificent and many congratulations ! It is a fascinating and important story. Thank you so much.

[@kevinstephenson3880]

Magnificent automobile! Gotta get to Auburn, Indiana someday soon. As someone who grew up around antique airplanes, they were usually accompanied by automobiles of the same vintage. You can't help but grow up wanting them both! So happy to see this glorious vehicle find a permanent and loving home where it will be preserved for future generations to admire and lust over!

[@vulcanhammerinfo]

This is very nice. My grandfather was the Cord-Auburn-Duesenberg dealer in Washington, sold and flew the Stinson and Davis planes, too.

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

Wonderfully produced, lensed and edited video... thank you...

[@aleetaalice4613]

Wow, that was wonderful! Hope to visit this museum this year.

What a glorious history lesson,im so glad i found and watched it,superb and so well researched,thankyou!

[@DHW256]

Wonderful car, wonderful history, wonderful video! Thank you! Hopefully I'll get to see this car in the near future :)

[@safetymikeengland]

I LOVE the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum!! I can't wait to go again!

[@crashstitches79]

24:28 - That stance is everything that hotrodders and car lovers have been imitating for 100 years. Just perfect spacing between wheels and wheelwells/fenders, that slightly aggressive - maybe "assertive" or "authoritative" is the right word - and subtle forward lean that both looks like it's hauling ass and still somehow artfully frozen in perfect time forever, the proportions and complimentary lines of the beautiful coachwork, even down to the whitewalls and wire spokes of the rolling stock. An immaculate marriage of automotive engineering, innovation, utter class, and timeless, ageless style.

[@leonguyot4991]

Great Video, fabulous museum! Loved my short visit in 1998, I want to come back and spend more time there

[@my31and37]

Such a great feature of an incredible Duesenberg. Thank you..

[@Old_school02]

Growing up I've always had a strong love for dozenburg especially the big one But now I think I have a better appreciation It's in a bigger heart for deucenberg now than I did before I also feel proud to now live in Indiana

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Amazing history! Thank you for sharing.

[@Funsho97]

That is an amazing and historical car for sure and a very well made documentary.

[@Darx97]

what a masterpiece

[@R08Tam]

A beautiful piece of automotive history

[@drmertes58]

Absolutely the best luxury car and what a extremely well done documentary 👏 Very Nice !

[@1AEROSOL.1PUFF]

This Duesenberg car is a class act that stands tall and proud in 2021.

[@waiting4aliens]

Very well presented. Thank you.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

EXCELLENT OUTSTANDING BEAUTIFUL.......Thanks very very much...!

[@geoben1810]

Remarkable, beautiful work of art. It's a Duesey!

[@jimpoteet1]

amazing,, thanks.... this is great....(years ago, in las vegas, we found the dusenberg room in the grand imperial palace casino.... )

[@MrBrendog67rat]

is that room still there, i have been there a few times

[@23savanna]

I grew up in Auburn and in high school we had our prom at the museum. Rather than dancing I spent most of my time there just looking at all the beautiful cars. It's quite an interesting museum if you ever get a chance to go.

[@party4keeps28]

Awesome story. I loved every minute.

[@Dave_Boyer]

Fantastic video!

[@jeffmac3071]

The ACD Museum was one of my bucket list items and well worth the trip.

[@iliastsiphlidis4607]

What an amazing story!

[@rollofffrank2008]

What a great story and outcome!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Really enjoyed the vid!!! 👍👍👍👍

[@bcfairlie1]

Excellent video. Well done

[@allanpeterson3358]

Totally beautiful cars which were ahead of their time!!

[@daniel_wilkinson]

I gotta give it to ya. It was hard, sometimes, to tell when the real video ends and the 3D model begins. Whoever the editor is deserves props.

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

I'd love to visit this museum.

[@jeffreycoffey3761]

Truely a privelidge to witness..thank you

[@mdleweight]

Nice video. Time for another visit to the museum.

[@tommycollier9172]

Great story Thanks for sharing.

[@mercedesbenzformula1]

Great video. I learned a lot

[@lukedanielgalon1596]

Honestly this is my favorite era of that time car Originally Duesenberg from Manny Khosbin but never knew it’s History

[@kevinjachim2378]

Cyrann deserves all the credit!

[@critterIMHO]

I’ve been to the ACD museum in Auburn Indiana many times. It’s worth whatever trip you have to make.

[@ecologicaladam7262]

what a lovely story

[@santistevan51]

Added that museum to the bucket list

[@600miles]

I was lucky to go to Canepa when #1 was being restored. I was t the time the newsletter editor for the Cabrillo Region AACA. I found out the car was there because the head guy working on the project came into Brass Key Locksmith, where I worked, to get keys made for that or something else. I was invited to come down and take photos. #1 & #3 Duesenbergs were on display in 2013 at Pebble Beach Concours.

[@TheDarkPhoenix23]

Holy crap! Uniontown (where the Uniontown Speedway was) is an hour away from me! I never knew they raced there!

[@eeblatter]

I really need to go see the ACD Museum. That Castle Model A is a great design and it looked like it was created by one of the great architects of the era. My uncle had a L29 Cord dual cowl phaeton that was custom built for the actress Toby Wing. Such a fantastic era.

[@dougjenks6954]

What a car, and custom body.

[@packrcch]

one million dollars to restore it. it must be worth at least three million. beautiful car!

[@agoogler1887]

Love the info u provide 🤓

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada my family owns an original 1940 maclaughlin Buick been in my family since day 1 I'm 50 years old and I was given to me when I was 25 after a death in my family

[@safetymikeengland]

Good job on the video, fellows.

[@chinabluewho]

When you make a product so well that a hundred years later people still want and desire your product to the point they are building museums to show them off you know you accomplished something with your life.

[@crieff1sand2s]

Very interesting.... 👍

[@geraldaricci7591]

I have seen the Gary Cooper Duesenberg that is in the Lilly Collection on Cape Cod. The yellow and green car is impressive up close.

[@marvwatkins7029]

I visited Auburn and the ACD Museum in Labor Day Weekend of 1975. Its would appear that a few additions and improvements were made since. Then. I really should revisit America's Greatest Automobile.

[@joanofarc9438]

Gorgeous.

[@zenonbillings9008]

amazing storey....amazing automobile......amazing future !!!

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

Sweet!

[@jourwalis-8875]

100 year today! Congrats!

[@markhall9412]

yup is same car on my 27 inch screen and floor am happy got to learn about my screen saver. thanks guys

[@fload46d]

Amazing what they had in little Auburn Indiana.

[@austin1839]

This is where the old phrase "that's a deusy" came from.

[@pistolannie6500]

"It's a deusy alright", & "She's a doozy ain't she ?"