This Derham creation is mounted on a 161-inch-wheelbase Model 75 Cadillac chassis. The car was built for Irving R. Strauss of Belmar, New Jersey, who apparently was not in the best of health. Perhaps because of this, Mr. Strauss had no contact with Derham whatsoever during the work on his car. His chauffeur, Alfred J. Armes, and his attorney, Lewis Hood, handled all the details.

The comfort and safety of Mr. Strauss was the foremost priority despite the necessity, as Phil Derham noted, “to sacrifice the appearance somewhat.” He described the result in submitting the sketch to attorney Hood in October 1939 as “a dignified car along modern lines but in no way extreme.” Its price was $5,750.00 plus three percent federal tax, the deposit to be two thousand which was duly given.

A problem arose when Mr. Strauss received a letter from a Wright Barclay, who somehow had word of the project, warning that Derham had best not infringe any of the Barclay patents involving invalid automobile bodies. Attorney Hood wrote Derham that “I assume you are of sufficient responsibility to answer the liability, if any there be.” He insisted that assurance of same should accompany delivery of the car.

Four months was the time Derham said would be needed for completion of the work. On Saturday, December 23rd, chauffeur Armes picked up the chassis in Asbury Park and drove it himself to Derham in Rosemont. On April 30^th attorney Hood wrote that four months had elapsed and where was the car? On May 6th, another letter followed expressing “Mr. Strauss’ and my own disappointment at the leisurely way in which the work has been done.”

Enos Derham apologized for the delay, attributing it to “sickness amongst our men this winter.” One suspects that the Derhams may have needed extra time to insure that no part of the Barclay patents were infringed. On May 20 the car was delivered – together with the Derham guaranty indemnifying Mr. Strauss.