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Rare 1934 Duesenberg Model J to grace the Hawke’s Bay

19 January, 2015

An opportunity to see the southern hemisphere’s only 1934 Duesenberg Model J in real life doesn’t come around very often, but the HB Vintage Car Club (HBVCC) have ensured you’ll get this chance.

They’ve invited the vehicle to make a special guest appearance at Tremains Art Deco Weekend in Napier throughout February 20–28. Conveniently, if you’re not already in Napier and make the trip down for the event, you can check out the iconic Municipal Theatre as the car will be on display in its Pan Pac Foyer on Friday, February 20 from 3–9pm.

Originally owned by Hollywood actress Carole Lombard, who acted in such films as Vigil in the Night and My Man Godfrey, the Duesenberg Model J has gone through many famous Hollywood hands, including being owned by Greta Garbo, Delores Del Rio, and William Hirsch, before it found its way to New Zealand in 2011 and underwent a full restoration by local Wanaka craftsmen.

The Tremains Napier Art Deco parade will feature around 250 pre-1945 cars in commemoration of the anniversaries being celebrated in 2015 — it is the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli, and 75 years since the Battle of Britain. The parade will include in excess of 20 Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg automobiles.

Steve Trott, the organizer of the ACD (Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg) Rally, said everyone was looking forward to the Art Deco and HBVCC annual events as usual, but many were particularly excited to see the 1934 Model J Duesenberg up close for the first time.

“It’s great that we have the 1934 Duesenberg as the feature car at this year’s event. It’s a really special car and looks fantastic. People will be in awe of how stunning it is.”

The actual Formula One

18 September, 2026

Seeing, in a shed in Hamilton, New Zealand, the Darracq 120 racer that Louis Wagner, also a pioneer aviator, drove to victory in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup race felt a little like finding a Rembrandt at a garage sale.
For historical significance, I’d say this car ranks with Ray Harroun’s Marmon Wasp, the first Indianapolis 500 winner. Unlike Harroun’s Wasp, which has been lovingly cared for at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum over the years, this historically pivotal machine wound up half a world away from its home in France and, to most of the motoring world, largely forgotten. Sadly, so is the story of how the car got to Aotearoa in the first place.
More often than not, a racing car that is a few years old is regarded as obsolete and relegated to a shed somewhere. As far as racing drivers and team owners at the cutting edge of the sport are concerned, the cars are virtually worthless at that point. They can’t be driven on the street; at best they can be reconfigured for lower levels of the sport, so few people care about them until their historical significance becomes more apparent.

Dad will love this!

29 August, 2026

Subscribe or gift a subscription to NZ Classic Car magazine for one year this Father’s Day, and go into the draw to win one of two luxury car care packages worth $570 from Lovecars.
The prize: Adam’s Foam Cannon Kit includes a complete pressure-washer foam cannon setup; Michelle’s Car Wash Kit takes care of everything after the foam. It includes Autostolz Premium Auto Wash, Enhanced Ceramic Spray Wax, and loads more.
Together, you’ve got the setup to foam, wash, protect and dry your car properly – using some of NZ’s top-selling car detailing products.
A seriously good prize for anyone who loves keeping their car looking its best.