Solved: gte4289_68 -- 1929 Duesenberg Model J chassis 2290/J-268 with rudimentary Japanese coachwork

[gte4289]

Identify this car for a point. Need more detail than just make/model.

[gte4289]

Experts?

[Fёdor]

pre-war car

[gte4289]

pre-war car

Yes

[fyreline]

This is (believe it or not) a 1929 Duesenberg Model J, exported to Japan as a bare chassis and delivered to a Packard dealer in Yokohama. It was purchased by a member of the Japanese House of Lords, Kimakichi Fukazawa, who had a 4-door open touring body constructed locally.  Apparently a high degree of local content was more important to Mr. Fukazawa than were aesthetics. There are few ugly Duesenbergs, but (at least in my opinion), you're looking at one right here. Oh, well - no accounting for taste . . . or the lack of it.

[gte4289]

This is (believe it or not) a 1929 Duesenberg Model J, exported to Japan as a bare chassis and delivered to a Packard dealer in Yokohama. It was purchased by a member of the Japanese House of Lords, Kimakichi Fukazawa, who had a 4-door open touring body constructed locally.

Correct. The point is yours!

Apparently a high degree of local content was more important to Mr. Fukazawa than were aesthetics. There are few ugly Duesenbergs, but (at least in my opinion), you're looking at one right here. Oh, well - no accounting for taste . . . or the lack of it.

As I understand it, the Duesey was imported as a bare chassis in order to avoid the heavy import duties associated with the importation of complete cars. Similarly, this rudimentary Japanese body was installed in order to prevent any retroactive levying of fees.