Past Forward

Activating The Henry Ford Archive of Innovation

Exposed Engine: 1931 Duesenberg Model J

February 3, 2017 Think THF, Archive Insight
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1931 Duesenberg Model J
Inline 8-cylinder engine, double overhead camshafts, 420 cubic inches displacement, 265 horsepower

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The Duesenberg is a beautiful automobile, and under the hood there’s plenty of go to match the show. The straight-8’s four valves per cylinder and duplex carburetor helped it pump out an enormous amount of horsepower for the time. (Later supercharged versions produced an astounding 320 horsepower!) The Model J could break 100 miles per hour without breaking a sweat.


Matt Anderson is Curator of Transportation at The Henry Ford.

20th century, 1930s, luxury cars, Engines Exposed, convertibles, cars, by Matt Anderson

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