Fred & August Duesenberg were self-trained engineers who used their skills and imaginations to the extent that they became known as pioneering geniuses. Their successes spanned four decades and encompassed everything from bicycling to airplane design.
In 1921, the brothers constructed four race cars, featuring four-wheel braking. These cars were designed for the first post-WWI Grand Prix at LeMans. Jimmy Murphy won the event, piloting one of the three Duesenbergs in its first significant European victory. An American victory of this magnitude was not to occur again until 1966.
Joe Boyer drove this car in that event. It did not finish the race but is the only intact survivor of the original four. It was later purchased by Harry Hartz, who finished second in the 1922 Indianapolis 500 with this car.
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