Duesenberg Model SJ

Information

Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster
Coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz
One Of Only A Handful Of Clean-Sheet Bohman & Schwartz Bodied Duesenbergs.

Built for Barbara Hutton, the heiress to the Woolworth fortune. Hutton was well known for her extravagant generosity, and the car presented here is a fitting example of her remarkable largesse. It was a gift for Serge M'Divani, the brother of her lover Alexis M'Divani.

The famed M'Divanis were the children of Soviet Georgian nobles who fled Russia during Wold War One. Despite their semi-royal status, the men of the family earned a reputation as socialites, lotharios and womanizers. Prince Serge M'Divani had settled in the US and his brothers were connected to some of the wealthiest women in America and were known to marry each other's former lovers and even former wives. Such was the situation that led to the construction of this Duesenberg. In 1933, Barbara Hutton had fallen for Alexis M'Divani, the brother of Serge M'Divani. Believing his affair with Hutton would turn out to be even more promising, Alexis had recently divorced Louise Astor Van Alen. Throughout their marriage, both brothers took great advantage of Hutton's incredible wealth and status, and were in receipt of money, gifts and property.