The Duesenberg II was a late-20th-century revival of one of America’s most legendary luxury automobiles, the prewar Duesenberg Model J. Built between 1978 and the early 1990s in Elroy, Wisconsin, it was not an original 1930s car but a painstakingly crafted “second generation” continuation. Conceived by restorer and marque devotee Richard I. Braund, the Duesenberg II combined the grand, sweeping styling of the Classic Era with modern Ford mechanicals underneath. The result was a car that looked every bit like a Depression-era masterpiece yet could be driven and serviced like a contemporary luxury vehicle.

Braund, who had served as a consultant to Bill Harrah’s famous car collection in Reno, developed a deep appreciation for the great American classics like Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and especially Duesenberg. By the mid-1970s he set out to revive the Duesenberg name, which had been dormant since 1937. His idea was not to build a casual replica, but a faithful continuation that honored the craftsmanship and presence of the original Model J while offering the usability buyers expected in the 1980s. In 1977 he founded Duesenberg Motors Inc. and soon after established Elite Heritage Motors to produce the cars.

Each Duesenberg II was built to order and required more than 5,000 hours of largely hand labor. The bodies were formed from premium hand-laid fiberglass mounted on a welded steel frame. Because digital scanning did not yet exist, original Duesenbergs were carefully measured to recreate the proportions and details of coachbuilt bodies by Murphy, Rollston, and Brunn. Signature elements—like the towering chrome radiator shell, external exhaust pipes, sweeping pontoon fenders, and side-mounted spares with leather-strapped mirrors—were reproduced with obsessive attention to detail. Interiors featured rich leather upholstery, walnut trim, and a machine-turned aluminum dashboard filled with period-style gauges, including altimeters and chronographs. All models were open cars with side curtains rather than roll-up windows, preserving the prewar character.

Underneath that vintage exterior lay thoroughly modern hardware sourced from Ford Motor Company. The chassis was based on a reinforced and often stretched Ford truck frame. Suspension, steering, and brakes were also Ford components. Notably, the use of Ford’s Twin I-Beam independent front suspension mimicked the visual appearance of a solid front axle while delivering improved ride comfort and handling. Power came from a 5.8-liter (351 cubic inch) fuel-injected Ford “Windsor” V-8 paired with a column-shifted automatic transmission. Braund chose this reliable small-block over Ford’s larger 460 V-8, prioritizing balance and serviceability. Modern amenities like power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo, made the Duesenberg II more convenient to use in modern driving conditions. Owners even benefited from a special warranty arrangement allowing service at Ford dealerships.

Six body styles were offered over the years, all echoing the flamboyance of the original supercharged Model SJ: the SJ Speedster, Dual Cowl Phaeton, Torpedo Roadster, Torpedo Sedan, Torpedo Phaeton, and Murphy Roadster. Production remained deliberately limited. At peak, Elite Heritage Motors employed about 30 craftspeople and produced roughly one car per month. Overall, approximately 71 cars were made between 1978 and the early 1990s.

Demand in the early years was strong, with waiting lists stretching to two years and some cars reselling above their original prices, which started around $54,900 and climbed past $125,000 by the mid-1980s. Economic shifts and changing tastes eventually slowed sales, and production ceased in the 1990s. Richard Braund passed away in 2000, but his cars endure.

Today, the Duesenberg II occupies a unique niche. With authentic prewar styling, meticulous craftsmanship, and dependable modern mechanicals, it offers much of the grandeur of a Model J without the stratospheric price. For collectors who value presence, drivability, and an intriguing chapter of American automotive history, the Duesenberg II remains a compelling and surprisingly usable classic.