It's a Duesey; Rebirth of storied marque set for 2003.(Duesenberg Motors' plans to launch new Duesenberg)(Brief Article)

Sixty-five years have passed since the last Duesenberg was built, but it may be only months before the next one arrives.

Plans to build a Duesenberg for the 21st century-appropriately codenamed ``21''-are well under way, with a review of designs submitted by five different firms set for March 22. Dave Hartje, the man who owns the Duesenberg marque and had been building replicas for several years through his Elroy, Wisconsin-based Duesenberg Motors, says the final design will be chosen by month's end.

``It's definitely happening,'' says Hartje.

What we're talking about here is not another modern reproduction of a classic-Hartje's done that, and he's done with that. Rather, the next Duesenberg will be an ultra-luxury hand-built coupe, designed for today but carrying enough distinctive Duesenberg styling elements to clearly identify its heritage.

``The headlights and grille will carry the distinctive crest and the Duesenberg eagle will be modernized and used in the car's badging,'' says Hartje.

Hartje's timeline calls for having the first prototype built by custom-car manufacturer Metalcrafters of Fountain Valley, California, in time for the Pebble Beach concours in 2003, but the car could make its world debut earlier, at the ...