The 1923 Duesenberg A Roadster with Rumble Seat was introduced in 1922. It was the first production car bearing the Duesenberg name. The Model A features an inline, eight-cylinder engine with a single overhead camshaft. The engine develops 100 horsepower and has a displacement of 259.7 c.i. The advertised top speed was 90 miles per hour and was fitted with 4-wheel hydraulic brakes adapted from their race cars. This 1923 Model A Duesenberg features a roadster body that was built by the coach building firm of Millspaugh & Irish. It sold new for $6,850 and was one of the most expensive American vehicles of the period. Slightly more than 600 Model A Duesenberg’s were built.
Design and Features
- Manufacturer: Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc., founded by brothers Fred and Augie Duesenberg in Iowa, USA.
- Body Style: Roadster, typically featuring a two-seat open-top design.
- Chassis: The Model A was built on a strong and durable chassis, designed to handle the powerful engines and provide stability on the road.
- Interior: Simple and functional, focusing on the essentials for driving comfort, often with basic instrumentation and seating.
Performance
- Engine: Inline-8 engine, known for its advanced design and performance capabilities.
- Power Output: Approximately 88 horsepower, impressive for the time and contributing to the car's reputation for speed and power.
- Transmission: Manual transmission, likely with a 3-speed gearbox, allowing for smooth gear changes.
- Top Speed: Capable of reaching speeds around 80 mph (129 km/h), which was remarkable for a road car in the early 1920s.
- Suspension: The Model A featured a solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and a live rear axle with cantilever leaf springs, providing a balanced ride and handling characteristics.
- Brakes: Mechanical drum brakes, standard for the era, offering sufficient stopping power given the car's performance capabilities.
Racing Success and Legacy
- Competition History: While the Model A Roadster wasn’t primarily designed for racing, Duesenberg engines and chassis would later dominate in motorsports, earning accolades in events like the Indianapolis 500.
- Significance: The Model A Roadster laid the foundation for the Duesenberg reputation for luxury, performance, and engineering excellence.
- Influence: It set a precedent for future Duesenberg models, which would become synonymous with luxury and innovation in the automotive industry.
Production and Rarity
- Production Years: Produced from 1921 to 1926, with various body styles including roadsters, sedans, and phaetons.
- Total Units Produced: Production numbers were relatively limited, adding to the Model A’s collectibility and historical significance.
- Price: Today, the Duesenberg Model A Roadster is highly sought after by collectors, with prices reflecting its rarity, historical significance, and pioneering design.
You may purchase a print of the 1923 Duesenberg A Roadster with Rumble Seat in our dElegance 2017 online gallery.
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