1935 Duesenberg SJ ...
 
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1935 Duesenberg SJ "Special"... [PIC]

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Rich Sufficool
(@rich-sufficool)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 4798
Topic starter  

This one-off LSR car, designed by J.H.Newport, was built on a modified Duesenberg SJ chassis with a high(er) compression, supercharged 420 cid I-8 developing 400 hp. The car was commissioned by its ultimate driver, Ab Jenkins, soliciting funding from major oil and accessory parts companies promising them a land speed record they could use to promote their products. In October of 1935, he delivered two records at the Bonneville salt flats: a one hour record of 153.97 mph and a 24 hr record of 135.57 that stood unbeaten until 1961. Later, the entire drive train was replaced using a Curtiss Conqueror aircraft 250 hp V12. That version was named the "Mormon Meteor". That car, driven by brothers Ab and Marv Jenkins, ran at the flats in '36 and '37 smashing a slew of records by at least 20 mph. A local newspaper ran a contest to name the Curtiss powered Duesenberg and the winning name was the "Mormon Meteor" (it is Utah. of course). As history was written, the original "Special" moniker was replaced with "Mormon Meteor I". This car was later converted for street use and then finally brought back to its original "Special" configuration.

1 MM Fitch 055
MM Fitch 012
MM Fitch 047
MM Fitch 017
MM Fitch 037
MM Fitch 024
MM Fitch 004
MM Fitch 018
MM Fitch 031
1 MM Fitch 058
1 Mormonll 024
1 Mormonll 026
Meteor 007 001
Meteor 006 002

 



   
Greg, John Napoli, Pete Rovero and 5 people reacted
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David Green
(@david-green)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 9598
 

Great model. Interesting history. I always enjoy your ‘presentations’, Rich. Love that instrument panel.



   
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(@bob-jackman)
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Joined: 29 years ago
Posts: 14763
 

@david-green +1.



   
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