Discover the Vehicles | Supercars of the 1930’s & 1940’s
Originally published Mar 23, 2021.
1933 DUESENBERG
SJ CONVERTIBLE COUPE BY WALTER M. MURPHY CO.
HORSEPOWER: 400
TOP SPEED: 150 mph
ENGINE: Supercharged 7.0-liter inline-8
NUMBER BUILT: 36 (total model SJs)
PRODUCTION YEARS: 1932-1937
The Duesenberg Model SJ featured a supercharged version of the Model J’s straight-eight engine. In addition to many race-bred features such as double overhead camshafts operating four valves per cylinder, SJ models were equipped with centrifugal superchargers that further increased the engine’s performance. The car was so powerful that promotional materials of the day stated that a Duesenberg owner could be passed by another car only when they wished to be passed. To match prestige with power, the body of every Duesenberg was coachbuilt, including this convertible coupe by Walter M. Murphy Co. of Pasadena.
COLLECTION OF THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM
Known as a vehicle for the rich and famous, mid-1930s advertisements, illustrated by Paul Derring, showed the wealth and distinction associated with the car’s owners rather than the car itself.
1938 DELAHAYE
TYPE 145 COUPE BY CHAPRON
HORSEPOWER: 184
TOP SPEED: 120 mph (est.)
ENGINE: 4.5-liter V-12
NUMBER BUILT: 4 (total Delahaye Type 145s)
PRODUCTION YEARS: 1937-1938
Concealed under the sensuously proportioned body of this Chapron coupe is one of the most respected Grand Prix chassis of the early twentieth century. It was based on one of four Delahaye Type 145s ordered in 1937 by Lucy Schell, founder of the Ecurie Bleue racing team, to compete in the French Government’s Prix du Million challenge. Built for endurance and speed, these exotic V-12 race cars found success in international Grands Prix throughout Europe. After being retired from racing, this Type 145 was eventually purchased by legendary coachbuilder Henri Chapron, who rebodied it in 1947 as a road-going, two-seat coupe.
COURTESY OF PETER AND MERLE MULLIN
