Thread: Gary Coopers RM
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Old 09-10-2017, 11:39 AM
larryofcc larryofcc is offline
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Originally Posted by model3sw View Post
Cooper, in that photo, is leaning on a full size Phaeton. The Gable picture I attached was another (different model) Duesenberg, not his SSJ.

Without referencing the Duesenberg books, the SSJ model Duesenberg were the model that only 2 were manufactured ... one for Gary Cooper, the other for Clark Gable. Clark Gable's was 1 foot longer than Gary Cooper's.

Of other famous owners of Duesenbergs was Tom Mix who owned several and died in a "sister" car, a Cord, in 1940. (ref: "sister" Cord / Auburn / Duesenberg )

Here are the 2, famous, SSJ's: Model SSJ

Whether it be the RM of either Clark or Gary, or the Duesenberg(s) owned by either one, be prepared to plop down some serious cash.

I believe the same owner of Gary Cooper's RM also owns Clark Gable's RM.

Back about 30 years ago I went on a quest to find Clark Gable's RM from a 1981 auction catalog when it was sold. After several years (the pre-internet days) ... I tracked it down. I wrote the (then) current owner twice. I did not get a response to either letter.

Both Cooper's and Gable's RM were on loan to the NRA museum IIRC, also Jimmy Stewart's. Correct me if I've misstated any of the above.

Oh, I researched to find Gable had the Gullwing coupe. Did not know Cooper had one, too.

Yes, just found online ... only 2 SSJs were made, one for Cooper, one for Gable ... see: The Clark Gable 1935 SSJ Duesenberg in Los Angeles | The Old Motor
He had one alright. He lived somewhere in the desert and was clocked by a police officer at 140 MPH on his way to work, as the story goes. My good friend Kurt Mauer was a bartender at the Thunderbird in Palm Springs, and he and Coop were friends. Kurt had a 350 SL Gullwing also. He bought it with the money his Dad gave him when Kurt came to America after spending the war as a POW in a British prison. He was wounded at Monte Casino after he jumped out of a Glider. My friend Kurt knew all the famous movie stars. He showed me a picture once of him, Coop, Jimmy Stewart, and John Wayne. Big Larry
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