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After a
short stay in Wisconsin the brothers moved to Des Moines and
worked for the Iowa Automobile and Supply Company. Here
equipment and supplies were available to assist them in their
real interest, the design and construction of their own
automobile. In 1905 they completed the "Marvel", a
runabout with an engine of their own design and
construction.
Edward.
R. Mason agreed to finance the production of the Duesenberg
designs as the Mason Motor Car Company. From 1906 to 1910 the
Duesenbergs and Mason produced a variety of vehicles out of the
facility on East 5th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. To establish the
strength and excellence of their vehicles they successfully
entered into auto-racing as a sideline.
When
the company was purchased by F. L. Maytag, the Duesenbergs moved
to Waterloo, but soon returned to Des Moines to continue their
emphasis on the Mason-Maytag-Duesenberg racing program. The team’s
victories gave many drivers, including Eddy Rickenbacker, Billy
Chandler, George Mason their early reputations. In 1913 the team
moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and continued to compete on local
and national tracks.
In
1916 the Duesenberg brothers moved to New Jersey and with New
York financial backers formed the Duesenberg Motor Company .
Racing and marine engines, along with a successful racing team
were all noted products of the firm. In 1920 the brothers moved
again and formed the Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Company of
Indianapolis, Indiana. Here they debuted a new Duesenberg
automobile and began production. Within two years their cars
became recognized for their power and design while the racing
team achieved victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In
1926 Errett Lobban Cord purchased the company and the
Duesenbergs broadened their work to include the Cord and Auburn
automobiles.
Duesenberg
continued to refine their designs and engines until the company
closed in 1937 but by this time the name Duesenberg had become
synonymous with technological and design excellence.
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