Harry Yeaggy's private car collection in Cincinnati is certainly one of the most impressive auto collections of all time. It consists of 45 cars, and Harry intends to maintain that number. When he buys a new car, he will sell another with the goal of improving the collection over time.
Harry’s collection is home to my favorite car--the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster, famously known as the “Mormon Meteor.” This car is a remarkable piece of automotive history, celebrated for its blend of luxury and performance.
The “Mormon Meteor” was originally designed and built by Duesenberg, an American luxury automobile manufacturer. Its nickname is a tribute to its notable achievements at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where it set numerous speed records. The "Mormon" part of the name likely references Utah's significant Mormon population.
On August 31, 1935, David Abbot “Ab” Jenkins, renowned as America's premier speed record holder, set a remarkable average speed of 145.47 mph in the Mormon Meteor on a 10-mile oval track at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Over a 24-hour period, Jenkins and the Duesenberg Special covered 3,262 miles, nearly equivalent to a coast-to-coast journey across the United States in a single day. Furthermore, Jenkins shattered the existing one-hour speed record by reaching 152.145 mph, surpassing the previous mark of 134.9 mph set in March 1934. Jenkins’ record cemented the car’s legendary status.
The Speedster showcased Duesenberg's commitment to engineering excellence. It was equipped with a powerful supercharged engine known as the "SJ," which stood for "Supercharged J." The J series was Duesenberg's most famous line of cars, recognized for its advanced engineering and well-appointed details. It boasted a sleek, aerodynamic design, which was quite advanced for the time and contributed to its impressive performance on the racetrack.
The 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster “Mormon Meteor” is not just a car but a significant historical artifact. Its success in speed trials and its deluxe design ensured its place in the annals of automotive history and made it a symbol of the pinnacle of American automotive engineering during the pre-World War II era.
I want one!
…bob
I'm pretty sure I saw that car at the Glenmoor Gathering car show in Canton before they stopped it.
It's a beautiful machine.