The Walker aerodynamic coupe is the most unique Duesenberg in Jay’s collection. Rumor has it that it sold for $5000 more than the infamous 20 Grand, and it was definitely the most expensive factory body that Duesenberg ever made. Back in 1934, you could buy 80 Fords or six modest homes for about the same price as this car when it was new. Quite frankly, it was the wildest car on the road in its day, and wildly extravagant during the hard times of the Great Depression.

Herb Newport designed this one-of-a-kind automobile to be completely aerodynamic. The headlights protrude from the car’s body, which is curved to the design of the grill and bumpers. Even the tail lights are designed so that air can flow through them, cutting down on drag. Coachbuilder A.H. Walker executed Newport’s design so that this sleek couple had minimal wind noise. You can actually carry on a normal conversation while driving 70 mph. That was pretty fast for 1934, since the speed limit was 45 mph, even though the car was capable of speeds in excess of 120.

Like all of Jay’s Duesenbergs, this one has a fascinating backstory. It was built for wealthy pharmaceutical industrialist Josiah Lily, whose initials are still embossed on the gearshift knob. Lily kept the car for one year, which was apparently his custom, and it wound up at Hilton Motors in New York. A local politician bought it for his paramour, who used it to tour Canada and Europe. When it came back to New York, gas station owner Otto Stoye used it as a tow truck. This poor car was so battered, that the guy who owned it before Jay only paid $400 for it.

When Jay got hold of the Walker, its heart was still intact, but it was completely rotted out. It took Duesenberg expert Randy Ema over a year to restore the coupe back to original factory specs, including its beautiful yet impractical leather roof, and straight 8 twin cam power plant. Perhaps the most difficult item to restore was the grill, which would have cost around $1260 back in the day. Each of its 51 pieces had to be handcrafted, and Jay claims that it is the single most expensive piece of trim on any car in his collection.