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Duesenberg Le Baron Barrelside The story of the first Duesenberg (of seven) to find its way into Jay Leno's famous automobile collection. From "Special Presentation" episode DCRD-S

This LaBerron Barrelside is a Duesenberg that is basically a 4-seater roadster. Jay considers it one of the prettiest Duesenbergs he has seen.

Jay Leno Duesenberg Collection, Automobile #1: Duesenberg Le Baron Barrelside

Statistics:

• Model: J
  
• Year built: 1930
  
• Original owner: William Ashton
  
• Original mileage: 39,000
  
• Price new: $17,000 — $18,000
  
• Number in Leno's collection: 1st

Awards:

• 1992 Pebble Beach — 1st in Class
  
• Gwen Graham award for "Most Elegant Closed Car"

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Jay Leno and restoration specialist Randy Ema took 2nd place at the world renowned Pebble Beach in this LaBerron Barrelside Duesenberg.

The First

The first Duesenberg in Jay Leno's collection was found in Philadelphia, its place of origin. Ironically Leno was shopping for motorcycles, not Duesenbergs, when he came across this Le Barron Barrelside. The first to be purchased by the entertainer, this vehicle is still the only one in his collection with a trick to getting in the backseat — there is a second windshield that must be folded down first before squeezing back there.

Little is known about the original owner of this Duesenberg. His name was William Ashton and he bought the vehicle with inherited money — which did not please his family. Not much else is known about whom he was or the life he lived.

As for the vehicle, it is believed to have been sent back to Duesenberg's Philadelphia branch in 1931 to update its front end. In 1957, Ashton sold it to George Sclufer for $1,500 and the vehicle eventually passed hands within the Sclufer family. In 1991, it became the first of many to be collected by Leno.

The LeBaron, before restoration

Restoration Process

With so few owners, this Duesenberg was still in operational condition when Leno received it. Still, the vehicle went through a full restoration process. The wood was refinished, all the leather was replaced — everything was revamped down to the nuts and bolts. Shaping the inner frame for the windshield was the hardest part of this restoration — most everything else caused little to no trouble.

A tribute to its original form, the body was repainted in a two-toned blue just like when it was new. Fully restored, this Le Baron Duesenberg would be the first of its kind to be seen at Pebble Beach — and take first place.

Brief History of the Model J

After the popular Model A was discontinued and the Model X prototypes were completed, the Duesenberg Company needed some guidance in the business aspect of the automotive world. Engineering skills would not be enough to make the company a success. E.L. Cord bought the company and took on the challenge, proving to be the man for the job.

Cord was an excellent businessman and, after refocusing the company's efforts, he lifted the Duesenberg Company into the realm of elite automotive companies of the time. Fred Duesenberg focused on building a new type of luxury vehicle — one that would surpass all others in both speed and design.

Out came the Model J, a vehicle dubbed "the world's finest motorcar" by many in the automotive industry. It was displayed at the New York Car Show in 1928, boasting 265 horsepower and speeds up to 120 mph. The chassis and engine would be engineered at the Duesenberg factory, while the body and interior would be customized by a coachbuilder of the customer's choice.

Of the 481 Model J's built between 1928 and 1937, only 378 still exist today. Each one is a piece of history, with a past that most likely includes some important or famous person of that time. Such a unique and elegant vehicle has yet to be created that could compare to the famous Duesenberg automobile.

Go to the next Duesenberg in Jay's collection.