Bonneville Duesenberg

1935 Duesenberg SJ Mormon Meteor Speedster.

Wow, this thing was and still is amazing. Built for Ab Jenkins for the saltflats. It' s a 400hp, Supercharged, dual carburetor Bonneville record holder. There was an article about it in some magazine I get and I wanted to share it with you. Here's a story on it.
http://www.rickcarey.com/Catalog Descriptions/Gooding 081504 Mormon Meteor.htm






<TABLE cl***=cardetails cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Straight-8 w/Special Cams, Ram's Horn Intake</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">position</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Front Longitudinal</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">aspiration</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Centrifugal, Gear Driven Supercharger</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">valvetrain</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">fuel feed</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Double, Updraught Stromberg UU3 Carburetors</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">displacement</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">6876 cc / 419.6 cu in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">bore</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">95.25 mm / 3.75 in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">stroke</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">120.6 mm / 4.75 in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">compression</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">5.2:1</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">power</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">298.3 kw / 400 bhp @ 5000 rpm</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">hp per litre</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">58.17 bhp per litre</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">bhp/weight</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">183.74 bhp per weight</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">drive wheels</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">RWD</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">body / frame</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Aluminum over Steel Ladder Frame</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">front brakes</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Drums w/Hydrualic ***ist</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">f brake size</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">381 mm / 15.0 in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">rear brakes</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Drums w/Hydrualic ***ist</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">r brake size</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">381 mm / 15.0 in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">front tire size</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Firestone 18 Inch</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">rear tire size</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Firestone 18 Inch</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">steering</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Ross Cam and Lever</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">f suspension</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Lowered Rigid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">r suspension</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Hydrualic Shock Absorbers</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">weight</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">2177 kg / 4800 lbs</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">wheelbase</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">3620 mm / 142.5 in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">front track</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">1425 mm / 56.1 in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">rear track</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">1425 mm / 56.1 in</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">transmission</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Warner Hy-Flew 3-Speed Manual</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">gear ratios</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">2.485:1, 1.397:1, 1.000:1</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">epa city/hwy</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">10 mpg</TD></TR><TR><TD cl***=label vAlign=bottom align=left width="30%">designers</TD><TD cl***=value vAlign=bottom align=right width="70%">Ab Jenkins, Augie Duesenberg (engine), Herbert Newport (body</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Same car in racing garb.

 

Photo from 1931 record attempt.

 

To learn more about the men who built and raced this car and the two that followed, there is a fairly new book. "Ab and Marvin Jenkins, the Studebaker Connection and The Mormon Meteors," by Gordon Eliot White. (yes, one L). I couldnt wait for the local library to buy a copy so I bought it myself. Very good reading, many pictures, an amazing man. I have met Marvin, he is one cool dude. Pictures and information about Winfield, and the Novi also. The book has been out long enough for some libraries to be able to find it now.

 

I agree the above mentioned book is a good book. It should also be noted that the above pictured car was the winner of the Pebble Beach Concours this past year. The owner is Harry Yeaggy of Cinci, Ohio.

Here is a link to the Pebble Beach press release and more info on the Duesie:
http://pebblebeachconcours.com/pages/3706/index.htm

 

This is actually a later car MMIII that had a purpose built ch***is and ran an Curtis aircraft engine.

http://historytogo.utah.gov/salt_lake_tribune/in_another_time/101793.html

 

This one?

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225996

 

Shake down runs were made at Indy.
Good link here
http://www.indy500.com/news/print.php?story_id=2132

 

You forgot to add that Ab drove it daily while Mayor of Salt Lake City and Governor of Utah.

 

that's beautiful....the pic next to the woody really shows how BIG the thing is!

 

what a beauty,,never seen that one before..

 

it was stunning in person.

had some time to talk with those that did the last resto on it. They had talked with the people that did the resto in the 60's... who had pulled coffee cup after coffee cup FULL of salt out of nooks and crannies on the car. When the last resto was done there was still salt to be found.

 

here are some pics I took at the Gooding Auction in 2003 (the last time it sold) as at Pebble Beach this last year:


Driving onto the green in the morning:



At auciton, 2003:

 

Hemming's Cl***ic Car did an article on it a few issues back.

 

Huge difference in sizes and lines.
The one with the Curtiss engine is huge.
I saved the pics of the speedster for future inspiration.
Thanks for the pics man.

 

beautiful car very stylish and fast whata combo , thankz for the pics..

 

Someone please tell me that gawd-aweful hood lettering was put on by a johnnie-wanna-be, not the designer.
Sorry to complain, but really, my eyes can't get past it. Stove bolted on, no less! Good grief!

 

All the articles I've read on it say that the yellow car you see here was restored to it's exact original look.

 

The yellow car is the earlier Mormom Meteor, it has been restored and lives somewhere in SoCal. It has shown up at Pebble Beach, as the photos show.
The confusion comes from the fact that the Mormon Meteor III, the one in the black and white photos out on the salt, was actually painted nearly the same color of yellow with red fenders when it was finally retired. It sat in the ba*****t of the state capital building for years in that color, and there were a billion post cards made of it.
About ten years ago Ab's son, who was a professer at a university in St. George Utah, pushed the state to do somthing with the car to keep it from deteriating. The state could not come up with any money so the boy got it back and restored it back to it's original campaign colors. Orange with blue fenders. He gets it out for show every so often. It was at the Utah Valley State College show in Orem Utah several years ago, and the actually started it and ran that huge engine, I think it's a Curtiss V12. Took them about 30 minutes to get it ready to start, it has an external oil heater, they had a prestart check list that was compairable to a aircrafts preflight. When it fired it was impressive to say the least!!!
Kevin

 

I'm almost 100% sure they are accurate too. The art deco design is right on for the time period. Those cars were very bold for the time. I encourage everyone to visit the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana. It is in the old Auburn factory/showroom. It is fabulous!

 

now that is a beautifullllll car.

 

I am in awe of the performance constructed Duesenbergs, that is the only reason I cringe at the show chromed version of the car. The form-follows function look above is far more stunning to my tastes, than the Pebble Beach look. Neverthless, I don't mean to throw mud at a great car. It is a great car, and I enjoy the pictures. Thanks!

 

I saw the Mormon Meteor III at Milwaukee in 2005. That thing was cah-razy! The Curtis Conqueror engine roared to life, and they lapped the Milwaukee Mile 3 times! Helluva turning radius on that thing...I have film of it somewhere...

From the USAF site:
The Curtiss Aeroplane and Engine Co. began producing its famous Conqueror engine in 1926. Although similar in general principles of design to the earlier Curtiss D-12 engine, the Conqueror was larger and more powerful. Originally rated at 600 hp, the engine's performance in several later versions was improved to 675 hp. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the V-1570 Conqueror was selected to power the Curtiss P-6 series "Hawk" aircraft as well as various other Air Corps types including the A-8, B-2, B-7, O-25 and P-16. After 1935, the Conqueror was superseded by more advanced liquid-cooled engines.
Model: V-1570-59
Type: 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled, Vee
Displacement: 1,570 cu.in.
Maximum hp: 675
Maximum rpm: 2,450
Cost: $7,500

 

There's a short film on youtube showing the after restoration and running at Bonneville. I can't find it though. There's also one on Jay Leno's site.