Classic Masterpiece Crowned: 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Takes Top Honors at Pebble Beach

The 2026 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which concluded the Monterey Car Week festivities, awarded its prestigious Best of Show honors to a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Special Speedster. Owned by Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, Ohio, this ultra-rare prewar icon was celebrated on the stage overlooking the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links. This particular event marked the 75th edition of the Concours d’Elegance, a globally renowned classic car event held annually on California’s Monterey Peninsula since 1950.

The winning Duesenberg SSJ is one of only two Special Speedsters ever built, both designed by Herb Newport and constructed on a shortened 125-inch chassis. One of these legendary vehicles was famously associated with actor Gary Cooper, while the Best of Show winner at Pebble Beach was once owned by the well-known Duesenberg enthusiast, movie star Clark Gable. These Special Speedsters were engineering marvels of their era, equipped with supercharged straight-eight engines and dual carburetors, capable of producing close to 400 horsepower. This exceptional combination of raw power and extreme rarity has cemented their status among the most celebrated American automobiles ever produced.

Before its current ownership by Yeaggy, the Pebble Beach-winning Duesenberg SSJ was under the care of the Ferrara family for over six decades. The car recently underwent a meticulous restoration, returning it to its original black lacquer finish complemented by light saddle leather. This faithful recreation of the Duesenberg’s period appearance greatly impressed the judges. Robert Cumberford, a former General Motors designer and respected automotive critic, once drove a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ roadster. He praised its surprisingly modern performance and ride quality but was less impressed by its three-speed nonsynchromesh gearbox.

Cumberford noted that while the twin-cam, four-valve engine was significantly ahead of its time when introduced in 1928, the car itself had become an anachronism by the end of its production run. Duesenberg had ambitious sales targets for the Model J, reportedly aiming for around 500 cars annually; however, actual production between 1928 and 1937 fell far short. With only two units ever produced, the SSJ stands as the rarest variant of the Duesenberg Model J breed. Despite its heavy weight and somewhat clumsy gearbox, Cumberford recalled that “there was plenty of shove available in top gear.” He also commented on the optimistic estimations of a 160-mph top speed for the model, suggesting it was unlikely given the poor aerodynamics of its clamshell fenders.