One of the most historically significant American classics set to cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on August 13, is the extraordinary 1935 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Coupe, carrying a pre-sale estimate of $5.75 million to $8 million. This one-of-a-kind automobile was originally commissioned by Hollywood legend Clark Gable and remains among the most celebrated Duesenbergs ever built.
Gable ordered one of only four Rollston-bodied Model JN convertible coupes, but rather than accept the factory design, he envisioned something even more distinctive. Collaborating directly with Pasadena coachbuilder Bohman & Schwartz and designer W. Everett Miller, Gable personally influenced the styling through sketches and design input. The result was a uniquely tailored grand touring car featuring an extended hood, a sharply raked windshield, concealed convertible top, body-colored radiator shell, rear fender skirts, dual rear-mounted spare wheels, and aviation-inspired cowl ventilators. Every detail reflected Gable’s refined automotive taste.
The Duesenberg soon became inseparable from Gable’s public image and private life. It appeared in studio publicity photographs, briefly featured in the 1938 film Merrily We Live, and served as the couple’s preferred touring car during Gable’s romance with actress Carole Lombard. Following Lombard’s tragic death in 1942, the emotional significance of the car prompted Gable to quietly sell it, marking the beginning of a remarkable ownership history.
Over the following decades, the Model JN passed through several distinguished collectors and restorers before being acquired by Sam and Emily Mann in 2005. Determined to return the car to its exact 1935 configuration, the Manns commissioned a meticulous restoration using extensive historical research and original materials. The completed restoration debuted at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, earning the Gwenn Graham Trophy for Most Elegant Convertible, before claiming Best of Show honors at both the Amelia Island and Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance in 2008.
Beyond concours success, the Duesenberg has also participated in long-distance touring events, demonstrating that its engineering matches its timeless elegance. Importantly, it retains its original numbered J-560 bell housing, while the original numbered crankshaft accompanies the sale, offering the opportunity to reunite the car with all of its original numbered mechanical components.
Combining Hollywood provenance, bespoke coachwork, concours-winning restoration, and exceptional historical significance, this 1935 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Coupe stands as one of the most desirable and romantic American automobiles ever created, making it a centerpiece of RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
