1935 Duesenberg JN Roadster

t’s easy for the average person to complain about the rich

and famous. But automotive enthusiasts must sometimes

put such feelings aside when the resources of the wealthy

create the automobiles that inhabit one’s dreams.

The Duesenberg JN Roadster of actor Clark Gable is

such a car. It was one of only 10 JNs built, of which only 4

had convertible coupe bodies. And what a body that was—a

raked-back windshield gave a sense of speed to the otherwise

upright center portion of the body, which was surrounded by

gorgeously shaped fenders and coated in a creamy paint color

that oozed smooth style, apropos for a top star like Gable.

It’s not hard to picture Gable cruising the countryside with

wife Carole Lombard in this car, and that is in fact what they

often did. They undoubtedly enjoyed the car’s cozy Cognac

leather interior, which contrasted beautifully with its exterior

color. Bohman & Schwartz modified the Rollston body at

I