Fred and August Duesenberg founded their automotive company in 1913, and it didn’t take long for the brand to become a byword for luxury and performance. Their cars — nicknamed “Duesys” — were the choice of the wealthy, the powerful, and the famous. By 1928, Duesenberg had introduced the Model J series, setting a new standard for American engineering.
The 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Speedster was the pinnacle of that series. SSJ stands for “Supercharged Short-wheelbase J,” which tells you exactly what this car was built to do. The shorter wheelbase sharpened its handling, and the supercharged engine gave it raw, road-eating power.
Under the hood sat a Lycoming straight-eight engine fitted with a centrifugal supercharger. Together, they produced 320 horsepower — a staggering number for the mid-1930s. The SSJ could hit a top speed of around 140 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest road cars on the planet at the time.
The body was as impressive as the engine. Low-slung and aerodynamic, the SSJ wore a sleek profile that balanced speed with style. A signature chrome grille sat up front, flanked by sweeping fenders and finished off with wire-spoke wheels. Every exterior line had a purpose.
Inside, the craftsmanship matched the exterior’s ambition. Plush leather seats, a hand-finished wooden dashboard, and precise instrumentation filled the cabin. No detail was left to chance — the interior was built to give the driver a complete, refined experience at any speed.
Only two SSJ Speedsters were ever built. Both were custom-ordered by Hollywood royalty. Actor Gary Cooper received one, and Clark Gable received the other. Both men were well known for their enthusiasm for fast, powerful cars, and the SSJ was the ultimate expression of that passion.
The rarity of the SSJ has made these two cars among the most coveted automobiles in the world. Collectors have pursued them for decades, drawn by the combination of historical significance, Hollywood provenance, and mechanical excellence.
In 2018, one of the two SSJ Speedsters crossed the auction block and sold for $22 million. That price set a new record for the most expensive American car ever sold at auction. The figure reflects not just the car’s scarcity, but its standing as one of the most extraordinary machines ever produced on American soil.
