A Green Duesy, a Collector’s Surprise, and the Generosity of the Hunt

1929 Duesenberg SJ Durham Touriste by Minimarque | US61B | No. 25 of 250

There are great cars, and then there are Duesenbergs. When the Duesenberg Model J arrived in 1929, it represented the pinnacle of American automotive ambition, demonstrating extraordinary engineering, formidable performance, and coachwork tailored to the tastes of those who could afford the very best. Each car was an opportunity for a coachbuilder to turn an exceptional chassis into something truly distinctive. The result was a remarkable variety of automobiles, each with its own character and presence.

The Durham Touriste is one of those distinctive body styles, combining the imposing proportions of a classic Duesenberg with the open-air appeal of a touring automobile. In Minimarque’s 1:43 scale interpretation, this example wears a two-tone green metallic finish that gives the car a personality all its own. It is a striking little model, and one that has a story worth telling.

As it turns out, that story begins with a collector friend and ends with a very special addition to my collection.

The One That Got My Attention

When I first visited Richard Knaack and his collection last year, there was one model that stood out among all the others. And believe me, there were plenty of other standouts!

I try not to be envious of anyone else’s collection. We’re all in this hunt together, after all, and part of the fun is sharing in the discoveries and appreciating what others have found. But that ’29 Duesy jumped right out at me.

The metallic green paint was so striking, in the best possible way. I loved it, especially because I had never seen another one like it. Richard told me he hadn’t either, which was precisely why he had ponied up for it.

On every subsequent visit, it was the first model I made a point of checking out again. Some cars and models simply have that effect. You can admire an entire collection, but one particular piece keeps drawing you back.

Little did I know where that admiration would lead.

A Surprise in a White Box

Today, Richard came over to my house for a post-birthday visit (his, not mine), carrying a surprise box. He told me he had something unusual that he thought I might like to see.

He explained that he had recently been browsing eBay late one night when he came across a Buy It Now listing for the same green Duesenberg at a remarkable price. The seller had listed both a top-up and a top-down version for immediate sale, and Richard managed to snag them.

I still wasn't catching on. Carefully, I opened the generic white box. And there it was. The Duesenberg. Pristine. Striking. Every bit as beautiful as I remembered it from Richard’s collection.

Then came the best part. Richard explained that he was offering me the very example I had admired on those earlier visits, at a very favorable price. I didn’t hesitate.

More Than Another Model

I can’t say enough about what this says about the fraternity of collectors we share. Yes, we enjoy the hunt, the thrill of finding a rare or unusual model, and the satisfaction of adding something special to our collections. But there is something more to it than simply acquiring another piece.

Richard remembered how much this particular Duesenberg had caught my eye. When an opportunity came along, he thought of me. He knew what it would mean to me to have this model in my own collection, and he made it happen. That kind of thoughtfulness is worth every bit as much as the model itself.

This 1929 Duesenberg SJ Durham Touriste will be a star in my Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg collection. Every time I look at it, I’ll remember not only the car that first caught my attention, but also the friend who made it possible for me to bring it home.

Thank you, Richard! It’s a great reminder that while we may be collecting cars, it’s the people we meet along the way who make this hobby so rewarding.