1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Beverly Sedan

This Duesenberg J (J-378) is the prototype Beverly Sedan built by California's Walter M. Murphy Company. Murphy built 125 Duesenberg bodies, including 8 of these distinctive Beverly Sedans. Originally created in 1930 for the Chicago Auto Show by Duesenberg's in-house body designer, Gordon Buehrig, the Beverly was intended for formal use but had rather sporty, close-coupled proportions and aircraft-inspired features that included this dramatic, slanted windshield framed on the sides by small, triangular panes of glass.

This prototype was originally purchased by Standard Oil heir Wallis Bird, who had a spectacular collection of cars. When Wallis died in 1940, his wife Minnie moved to France and his cars went into storage. After Minnie's death in 1962, 9 cars were auctioned in the famous 'Car Auction of the Century' - one of the first-ever classic car auctions. This car was restored in 1970. It was acquired by its current owner in 2002. It was shown at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours, the first time at that event.