File talk:1929 Duesenberg Phaeton Royale1929 Duesenberg Phaeton Royale (2530333150).jpg

coachbuilt by Alexander Wolfington, Son and Company--Chief tin cloud (talk) 00:35, 21 February 2015 (UTC)

Chassis No 2240

Identified as Duesenberg J, No 2240, engine No J-214 Wolfington Royale Phaeton on long (153,5 in.) wheelbase. Built for Gustavo Chopitea, Lima. Note "wave" line on body sides and hood repeated on lower mold­ing and chassis valance.

This car was described in an article the March, 1930 Issue of Autobody:

"Wolfington Re-Enters Field of Private Coachwork

"This unusual 4-passenger phaeton on 153½-in. Duesenberg chassis signalizes the re-entry of Wolfington, of Philadelphia, into the field of high-grade custom bodywork for private cars after a lapse of about five years, during which this firm devoted the major part of its production to deluxe motor coaches, with only an occasional special body for private clients. Fifty-three years of experience in high-grade coachwork enabled this organization to change from one line to the other, and to revert in one step to private-car bodies of exclusive design and equipment.

"Accompanying illustrations present a phaeton of unique design, built by Wolfington to carry out the owner's ideas for a roomy and comfortable car for four passengers. The color scheme is in the fashionable brown field the body panels being in beige while two shades of brown are used for the moldings and for the belt panels, mudguards and chassis. The moldings are in the darker brown shade and-are striped with a brown­tinted white, all colors having been specially mixed by the Beckwith-Chandler Co. to conform to the ideas of the client. Even the instrument panel was brought through by Duesenberg in brown and a matching shade was used in dyeing the pigskin for the interior trim.

"The unique belt-and-molding treatment is supple­mented by embossing the chassis valances with corre­sponding sweeps. The moldings are unusual in. having a rectangular cross section instead of the half-round or half-oval section ordinarily employed. The double moldings on the cowl and bonnet panels sweep to the center of the bonnet and end in a chromium-plated cast­ing of arrowhead shape. The base molding follows the sweep of the front fender and then the wave effect of the upper molding treatment. The center body panel is capped by a casting with a diamond-shaped relief, on which is placed the owner's crest, and marks the be­ginning of a double molding and belt extending aft across the rear doors and around the back of the body.

"The upholstering of the interior is done in a brown pigskin, harmonizing with the general color scheme. The seat construction is interesting; a special slope was specified for the backs, and the cushions are built up on a Trenton lace-web spring of 2½-in. thickness upon which is an adjustable air cushion of 3 in., superposed by a 2 ½-in. layer of down. The air in the cushion is adjustable, enabling the passenger or driver to sit at the height desired. Cushions are of exceptional dimensions measuring 24 in. from the back. The front seat is adjustable longitudinally 4 in.; the removable center armrest and the low door line enable the driver to as­sume a restful position. The rear seat, with its side armrests, has an armchair effect and was built entirely outside the car and then bolted in place. The central armrests for both seats have a deep padding of sponge rubber. Hassocks of triangular section supplant the customary foot-rail, and fit partly under the tonneau cabinet. Carpets have a deep pile and are bound with pigskin.

"The door trim is another interesting feature of this car, being done with the brown pigskin in a series of peripheral plaits around a central pocket; on the rear doors a shirred leather pocket is used, while on the front doors the pockets are of the bottom-hinged flap type and are provided with locks to permit the storing of frequently used tools. Door friezes are 4 in. deep and are of light oak with an "inlay" of the brown pig­skin. At the bottom of the doors are 4-in. scuff strips of carpet. The tonneau cabinet, also of the light oak, conceals a radio-receiving set when it is not in use. In the center of the cabinet is mounted a crank handle for raising the secondary windshield.

"The "secondary cowl" is stationary, and is fitted with grab handles to assist the rear-seat occupants in rising. To conform to the brown color scheme, oak is used for the running boards, the battery box and trunk, all of which are trimmed with chromium-plated strips. The top, side curtains and top boot are of Burbank and are bound with the brown pigskin. The top boot is loose fitted so that it may be easily put on. Between the deck­ing and lining of the top, the radio aerial is interwoven in such a manner as to permit folding without damage. The oak trunk at the rear has two compartments which are accessible, by key, from the near side. The spare wheel carrier is of metal but is covered with brown pigskin and is fitted with two Yale locks.

End of article.--Chief tin cloud (talk) 11:47, 11 January 2018 (UTC)