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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 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
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
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 Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2228 Sold for USD$1,380,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
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 Convertible Sedan by Murphy Chassis#: 2294 Sold for USD$3,525,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
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 Convertible Coupe by Murphy Chassis#: 2167 Sold for USD$1,132,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline Chassis#: 2305 Sold for USD$2,040,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
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 TOWN CABRIOLET Chassis#: 2401 Sold for USD$1,254,000 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
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 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 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupe by Murphy Chassis#: 2388 Sold for USD$2,200,000 2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
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 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 Sport Berline by Murphy Chassis#: 2305 Sold for USD$1,705,000 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island | |
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 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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
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1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy
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