1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Berline

This Convertible Berline with coachwork by the Murphy body company of Pasadena, California is a long-wheelbase chassis that measures 153.5 inches. It was built with a shutter front radiator, hydraulic shock absorbers, an 8-into-1 exhaust manifold, and an updraft carburetor. It left the Murphy factory with Pilot Ray driving lights, dual side-mounted spares with chrome wire wheels, and wide whitewall tires. It was finished in ivory with a tan top and silk mohair upholstery and a rear-mounted instrument panel with a speedometer.

The vehicle was delivered new to L.H. McCormick of Chicago, Illinois via the Los Angeles Duesenberg Factory Branch. The second owner was Ms. Gertrude Lucille Ludlow of Walkerton, Indiana, who registered the car in Indiana in 1934. After Ms. Ludlow's ownership, the car went to Chicago Duesenberg dealer John Troka. Two more Chicago owners followed (T.W. Botts and O'Toole) before the car returned to John Troka. Troka sold the car on November 19th of 1940 to Oscar Unterscheutz, then bought it back from him in the early 1940s. In 1943 Troka sold the car to D. Cameron Peck, also of Chicago, who painted the car dark grey and fitted it with silver leather.

Two additional short-term owners followed before it was purchased by its next long-term owner, Richard F. Van Horne of Ohio, who eventually sold it to Sylvester Rugg of Newark, Ohio. Mills b. Lane of Atlanta, Georgia bought it in 1961 from Mr. Rugg. In 1964, it was sold to dealer Dr. Don Vesley, at which point it showed 81,000 miles. Two weeks later Vesley sold the car to Ed Jurist's Vintage Car store in Nyack, New York.

Harold Harmon became the car's new owner on April 11th of 1966 and retained the car for six years before selling it to a partnership of Bob Adams and Leo Gephart in June 1972. David Block of New York City became the next long-term owner, buying the car in July of 1972 and keeping it until 1986 when he sold it to dealer Tom Barrett of Chicago, Illinois, who quickly sold it to Detroit-area collector Richard Kughn.

In 1988, it was sold to Don Williams' Blackhawk Collection. In 1990, it joined the Imperial Palace's Duesenberg collection. Dean V. Kruse purchased the car in November of 1999 as part of a 34 Duesenberg purchase. In 2003, it was back in the Blackhawk Collection, where it remained until the vendor purchased it in 2005. While in their care, the car was given a full engine rebuild along with other mechanical components.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the St. John auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $850,000. As bidding came to a close, the car was sold for the sum of $704,000 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011