Rest in peace, Fred Duesenberg. Ā Born in Germany in 1876, after emigrating to the United States of America in the mid-1880s, Fred and his brother August starting building vehicles of any and all types, eventually leading to the establishment of the Duesenberg Automobile and Motors Company, Inc., based out of Indianapolis. Ā At one time, it was commonly understood that the only car that could pass a Duesenberg was another Duesenberg--and that was with the first owner's consent. Ā After a good run of motor manufacture through the Great War, the Great Depression put a hold on the desire and means for luxury cars and Duesenberg folded in 1937, five years after Fred had perished of pleural pneumonia he contracted while in hospital following a high speed wreck outside Ligonier, PA, on this date in 1932 at the age of 55.