Duesenberg is a three-syllable word that has created the traditions of a small town in Northern, Indiana for more than 96 years. Auburn, Indiana is passionate about capturing and protecting this history of the Duesenberg Automobiles for decades to come. If you know how special this car is, as the most highly valued American-made car ever built, then you know. For those that consider themselves car guys and gals and do not know, you are missing out on innovations in the racing and luxury world that brought us to where we are today! Duesenberg set a land speed record of 156 in 1920 over 100 years ago. It was the epitome of top-notch design and engineering. So where does one go to see a Duesenberg? The Mecca of Duesenberg culture resides within the walls of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, IN and many are unaware that it is the most publicly visible collection of Duesenberg’s in the world, right here in Indiana. The ACDA Museum is open 364 days a year and an entry ticket will give you access to three floors of 10 Duesenberg’s (unless they are on location at a Concours event) and over 100 other Auburns, Cords, and special interest cars. The ACD Festival over Labor Day weekend is the Annual Reunion, Car Show and Parade of Classics the ACD Club has organized every year since 1955. ACD Club members from all over the world drive, ship, or trailer their Auburns Cords, & Duesenbergs here to partake in the festivities.
Have you ever seen a Duesenberg auctioned off? Just to give you perspective on value, one sold at Amelia Island Auction this year for $3,200,000. Also, in Auburn, Indiana this Labor Day, and most years, you will have the chance to see three Duesenberg’s auctioned off at the Kruse Plaza Event Center with WorldWide Auctions. They include a 1923 Duesenberg Model A Phaeton, a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe, a 1931 Duesenberg Model Blind Quarter Club Sedan. The Auburn Auction is our biggest annual attraction which floods in tens of thousands of people to a town of only 15,000 total. Other notable cars being auctioned off by Worldwide this year include the 1931 ‘Great Gatsby’ Rolls Royce Robert Redford movie car, a 1925 Bugatti, 1964 Ferrari 330, 1990 Lamborghini Countach, and a 2019 Porsche 912 GT2 RS along with hundreds of others.
For other sightings of Duesenbergs in Indiana you can also visit Indianapolis and go to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum where Duesenberg is represented well with early racing cars on the same premise of the 2.5 mile Indy 500 track where Duesenberg tested their cars. The old Duesenberg factory sits at 1501 West Washington street in Indianapolis and one can even see the old lettering on the building while driving by. The La Porte Historical Society also has a 1929 Duesenberg J 152 Convertible Sedan on display in the Kesling Collection. Private Collections are prominent around the country as well and although we won’t disclose those locations for obvious reasons, just know that these rare cars are a gem and when you come across them, especially if you hear that engine start in person, just know that you are one of the lucky few to witness such history. Out of the approximately 1,100 Duesenberg’s ever made just over 400 are known to exist currently. That is why Auburn is the mecca and that is why we are so proud of the history we hold.
