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1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe

  • Coachwork by Murphy
  • Chassis Number: 2388
  • Engine Number: J-357
  • Body Number: 946
The Murphy body company of Pasadena, California, was one of the most successful (if not the most successful) coachbuilders on the Duesenberg Model J chassis. It was established in 1920 and initially associated with Packard and Leland-era Lincolns. The bodies they produced were simple yet elegant and sporty. A trademark of a Murphy body was the 'clear vision' windshield pillar, designed to be as slim as possible, enhancing the driver's visibility and enhancing the vehicle's sporty persona. Murphy advertised their windshield pillars as 'narrower than the space between a man's eyes'.

This particular Murphy-bodied Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe has been driven and maintained but never restored. It has been cared for its entire life by long-term owners. The original owner was Doran Hichman from Logan, West Virginia. Priced at $13,500, it left the factory in black paintwork and complemented by Duesenberg's bright chrome radiator shell and iconic Art Deco mascot.

Mr. Hinchman sold the car in 1946. The next recorded owner was Melvin Clemans of Clarksburg, West Virginia. It remained with Mr. Clemans for some five decades. In 1998, it was purchased by Harry Van Iderstine who later performed a light cosmetic detailing with the majority of the original paint finish and bright-work retained and rebuilt the Duesenberg's mechanicals. The car has its original wooden body framing with the Murphy body number stamped into the driver's side door sill.

The current owner acquired the car in January 2014.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2016
This Duesenberg was ordered new by the Doran Hinchman family at the Bruce Perry Motors in Huntington, West Virginia. Hinchman ordered a factory-cataloged style, the convertible coupe, with bodywork built by the Walter M. Murphy Company, of Pasadena, California. At $13,500 for the non-disappearing top model, it was the least-expensive style available. Around 25 cars were equipped with the 'disappearing top', a convertible top that folded neatly and then vanished under a flush-fitting metal lid on the rear deck. The 'disappearing top' sold for several hundred dollars higher than the standard convertible coupe style.

Mr. Hinchman's Duesenberg was built on a short-wheelbase chassis and fitted with the disappearing top coachwork and painted black, with chrome wire wheels, a tan cloth top, and black leather upholstery. Upon completion, Mr. Hinchman traveled to Indianapolis and took delivery at the Duesenberg factory, then drove it home.

For the next 16 years, the Model J was a frequent sight in downtown Logan. In 1946, the car was sold to Melvin Clemans. By 1952, the Model J had racked up 11,000 miles. The car was Clemans' first Duesenberg, and while others followed it, it was always his favorite.

In 1998, the car was sold to Harry Van Iderstine.

The car has received the Category One certification from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, issued in 1983 while in Melvin Clemans's ownership. It confirms the presence of Duesenberg's original frame, firewall, body, and engine.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2014

Provenance *
* Please note, dates are approximate

2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,500,000-USD $3,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $2,640,000

2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona

Sale Price :
USD $2,200,000

1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J Murphy

(Data based on Model Year 1930 sales)
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2369
Sold for USD$3,855,000
  2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2228
Sold for USD$1,380,000
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy
Chassis#: 2377
Sold for USD$1,490,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by Murphy
Chassis#: 2294
Sold for USD$3,525,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2369
Sold for USD$3,965,000
  2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2167
Sold for USD$1,132,500
  2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline
Chassis#: 2305
Sold for USD$2,040,000
  2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by Murphy
Chassis#: 2345
Sold for USD$1,105,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : The Guyton Collection
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual-Cowl Phaeton by Murphy
Chassis#: 2366
Sold for USD$2,090,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 DUESENBERG MODEL J TOWN CABRIOLET
Chassis#: 2401
Sold for USD$1,254,000
  2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2388
Sold for USD$2,640,000
  2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 DUESENBERG MODEL J DISAPPEARING TOP ROADSTER
Chassis#: 2346
Sold for USD$2,868,312
  2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible
Chassis#: 2315
Sold for USD$1,425,000
  2014 Mecum - Monterey
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2388
Sold for USD$2,200,000
  2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2310
Sold for USD$2,640,000
  2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Walter M. Murphy Co
Chassis#: J331
Sold for USD$962,500
  2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline by Murphy
Chassis#: 2305
Sold for USD$1,705,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Five-Passenger Club Sedan
Chassis#: 2261
Sold for USD$506,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy
Sold for USD$1,072,500
  2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 DUESENBERG J ARLINGTON SEDAN
Sold for USD$660,000
  2007 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2007
 

Duesenberg Model J Murphys That Failed To Sell At Auction

1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High

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Sold for $1,710,000
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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#:198.040.5500243
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1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  

1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy

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