Supercharged 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Speedster wins Best of the Best Award

A 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Speedster has been announced as winner of The Peninsula Classics’ renowned Best of the Best award, which selects from exceptional classic automobiles that have won significant awards at major concours events held during 2023. 

The prizewinning Duesenberg comes from the private collection of late U.S. Air Force Major General William Lyon, whose lifelong passion for automotive and aviation design prompted him to establish a museum celebrating both in Orange County, California. 

The Owner of Winning Car Mr Bill H Lyon

Considered one of the most powerful and luxurious American cars of its era, the Model SJ Speedster was built as one of just 38 models out of 481 to be fitted with a supercharger. The car was also the only example delivered to Gurney Nutting’s senior coachbuilder (and namesake) John Gurney Nutting, acclaimed for his beautiful coachwork, innovative engineering and glamorous mystique. 

A predominant customer of Nutting’s coaches was Edward, Prince of Wales – later to become King Edward VIII. 

Maharajah Holkar of Indore originally ordered this one-of-a-kind SJ. As the car was destined for a royal career, it received various special touches like chrome flagsticks and red and blue lights on the front fenders to indicate whether the Maharajah or the Maharanee was driving the car. 

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Speedster

Upon completion at Nutting’s workshop, the car was shipped from London to New York and driven back to Indianapolis by Duesenberg employees. After a final tune-up, the Gurney Nutting Speedster was delivered to the Maharajah's Santa Ana, California mansion due to concerns about Japan invading India.

The Duesenberg was later shipped from Los Angeles to Singapore and then to India, where it remained until the 1950s, when it was brought back to the United States. The car now resides in the Lyon Estate Car Collection in Southern California.

Also competing for the award this year was a superb group of finalists, including a 1935 Avions Voisin C25 Aerodyne by Voisin, and a 1937 Bentley 4¼-litre Rothschild Sedanca Coupe by Gurney Nutting. Other nominees were the 1937 Bugatti 57S Roadster by Corsica, a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster by Sindelfingen, a 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta by Pininfarina, a 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder by Frua, and the 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica “Superfast” Coupe by Pininfarina. All received the highest awards from the most prestigious concours events of 2023.

“The calibre of the 2023 finalists is nothing short of extraordinary,” said The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels and co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. 

“Each vehicle exemplifies an incredible feat of automotive engineering and design. Selecting a single winner becomes increasingly difficult. I believe the judges' choice will resonate as truly spectacular.”

The Peninsula Classic Best of the Best Award Winner

An esteemed group of 25 judges representing a diverse selection of renowned automotive enthusiasts and design experts were tasked with choosing the winner.  Among them were legendary car designer Chris Bangle, former Chief of Design for the BMW Group, respected car collector and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Dassault Systèmes Vice President of Design Experience Anne Asensio, acclaimed fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Ford Motor Company Board of Directors member Henry Ford III, former Design Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars the late Ian Cameron, and television host and collector Jay Leno. The Best of the Best Award celebration was staged at the newly opened The Peninsula London on 3 September 2024. From 4 to 14 September, guests and visitors will be able to enjoy a closer view of the winning 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Speedster, which will be on display in The Lobby. 

Story: Mark Qunilan