Known for building winning race cars, Fred and Augie Duesenberg were American pioneers of motorsports. Together, the Duesenberg brothers created their own automotive company, but they struggled. They could not find a way to make a profit from their road cars.
In 1925, entrepreneur E.L. Cord saved the Duesenberg brothers from losing everything. After buying them out, he instructed them to build the world’s finest road car. Right at the peak of the Roaring Twenties, Duesenberg unveiled the J model.
Ready to compete with the most powerful and luxurious automobiles in the world, only a crash could stop them. Eventually, the Great Depression took its toll, but not before unleashing the supercharged Duesenberg SSJ, the first American supercar. Unfortunately, they only made two SSJ models before closing shop.
Duesenberg has three models, the J, SJ, and SSJ. They all share the same 32-valve 7.0L DOHC straight-8 cylinder engine, but the SJ and SSJ have superchargers. Who doesn’t like the option of having more power?
Based on their successful racing engine designs, this 8 cylinder churns out 265 hp without forced induction. Again, without the forced induction of a supercharger, this engine can propel the J model to a top speed of 119 miles per hour. The Duesenberg J was the fastest and most expensive American automobile available.
Adding a supercharger to this already powerful roadster is where the fun begins, without sacrificing prestige or comfort. The model SJ cranks 320 hp out of the legendary straight-8 engine. Of the two supercharged models, the SSJ features 80 more horsepower than the SJ.
A special dual-carburetor setup and ram’s horn manifold is responsible for coaxing 400 hp out of the Duesenberg SSJ. The other notable difference between the models is the SSJ’s shorter wheelbase design. With a wheelbase of only 125 inches, the SSJ is much shorter than the models available featuring a 142.5-inch or 153.5-inch wheelbase.
Having a shorter wheelbase definitely lends handling improvements while offering slightly better braking ability compared to the longer versions. Still, this is a car with bacon strips for tires, not meats. Do not expect the handling of a modern sports car, just kick back and enjoy the pleasant straight line potential.
Even though the speedometer goes up to 150 mph, keep in mind the drum brakes are nearly a century-old design. It may be tempting to release 400 horses out of the gate simultaneously, but do so at your own risk. This car is a speed demon, plan your braking responsibly.