Maroon Mirage: The 1935 Duesenberg Torpedo Roadster - swagger in chrome, poetry in pistons

Maroon Mirage: The 1935 Duesenberg Torpedo Roadster — swagger in chrome, poetry in pistons

Introduction
The 1935 Duesenberg Torpedo Roadster is the sort of automobile that reads like a short story: built for the very wealthy, clothed by custom coachbuilders, and powered by an engine born from racing DNA. By 1935 the Duesenberg Model J family—often simply called "Duesenberg"—had already earned a reputation as the finest and most powerful American luxury car. The Torpedo Roadster body was one of many bespoke coachbuilt designs fitted to the J chassis, its long, low profile and sweeping fenders designed to look fast even at a standstill.

History and creation
• Origins: The Duesenberg brothers, Fred and August, made their name in high-performance engines and racing before founding the Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Company. The Model J was introduced in 1928 to compete with the best European marques: it married cutting-edge engineering to the highest level of coachbuilt luxury.
• The 1935 context: By the mid-1930s the Great Depression had drastically reduced demand for ultra-luxury cars. Duesenberg survived by offering highly individualized chassis to discerning buyers; a 1935 Torpedo Roadster would have been a rare, commissioned piece, usually bodied by coachbuilders such as Murphy, Derham, Rollston, or others who interpreted the Torpedo theme—long hood, tapered tail, and minimal weather protection for a purist’s open-air experience.
• Coachbuilt individuality: No two Torpedo Roadsters are exactly the same. The chassis, drivetrain, and mechanicals came from the factory, but the final appearance—leather interior, grille styling, fender lines, spare-wheel placement—depended on the coachbuilder and the owner’s taste. That bespoke nature is part of the car’s mystique today.
• Cultural footprint: Duesenbergs became symbols of celebrity and success—movie stars, industrialists, and royalty among their owners. The combination of theatrical styling and impressive performance ensured these cars were centerpieces at concours events and in publicity photos.

Technical characteristics (typical/representative for a 1935 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Roadster)
Note: Duesenberg chassis and bodies were highly individualized; the figures below are representative ranges typical for late-model J/SJ-type cars.

• Engine
– Type: Inline 8-cylinder, advanced overhead-cam design (Duesenberg’s high-performance straight-eight)
– Displacement: ~420 cubic inches (about 6.9 L)
– Induction: Naturally aspirated in standard J; many owners fitted or ordered supercharged SJ variants (Roots-type supercharger available)
– Power: ~265 hp (naturally aspirated J); supercharged SJ versions commonly rated in the 320 hp range, with special SSJ examples quoted higher
• Transmission
– 3-speed manual (rear-wheel drive); optional gearing/overdrive could vary by build
• Chassis and dimensions
– Wheelbase: commonly in the long-luxury range (typical Model J wheelbases were in the neighborhood of 140–150 inches depending on the chassis ordered)
– Weight: substantial—typically several thousand pounds given heavy chassis and bespoke coachwork; curb weight often in the 4,500–5,500 lb range, depending on body style and fittings
• Suspension and brakes
– Suspension: solid axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs (front and rear), tuned for loaded grand touring comfort and high-speed stability
– Brakes: mechanical/hydraulic systems varied by year and coachwork; braking performance was substantial for the era but must be judged by period standards
• Performance
– Top speed: often quoted in the 110–130+ mph range for well-tuned, aerodynamic bodies and supercharged engines; exact top speed depended on final gearing, body, and engine tune
– Acceleration: brisk for the time—numerical 0–60 figures are not universally recorded, but the car’s power-to-weight and gearing made it among the quickest large cars of its day
• Amenities and craftsmanship

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