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The legendary Model J was designed to compete with high-end European marques such as Isotta-Fraschini and Hispano-Suiza. It is powered by a 420 cubic-inch, straight-eight engine, producing 265 horsepower with a top speed of over 100 miles per hour. Aluminum alloy was used for lightweight, with four valves per cylinder for high efficiency and dual overhead cams for enhanced performance. The chassis was a sturdy ladder frame made from alloy steel; the brakes were vacuum-assisted four-wheel hydraulic. The entire Model J driveline and suspension were engineered like a race car with handling and performance a priority.
A bare Model J chassis before coachwork was sold for $8,500 and the new owner could take the car to a custom coachbuilder, often doubling the original price of the chassis. The Model J quickly became a status symbol, driven by royalty.
This long-wheelbase example, J-381, is a 1930 Town Car by the Walter M. Murphy Co. of Pasadena, California. It began as a rolling chassis in Indianapolis and was shipped to the New York factory showroom where it was purchased by Nanaline Duke, widow of American Tobacco Company founder J.B. Duke. The chassis was shipped off to Pasadena to receive one of only four Town Car bodies produced by Murphy.
The Murphy Town Cars sported some unique features such as narrow windshield posts, aluminum pillars, and a relatively flat roof that gives the car a sleek image despite the large formal body.
Mrs. Duke retained the car for a short time before selling it; since then it has passed through the hands of several collectors. Former owner Bill Lassiter treated it to a comprehensive frame-off restoration. This beautiful Model J runs as beautifully as it looks, making it a fine example of Classic American luxury.
Years after Mrs. Duke's ownership it was purchased by J.S. Person and retained it about ten years. By 1958, it was in the ownership of Judge Pat Ferchill of Fort Worth, Texas, still in unrestored and factory original condition. It was purchased from the Ferchill estate in the early 1980s by Dan Kruse, who sold it to Robert McGowan in Connecticut. Bill Lassiter of Florida purchased it in 1985 and commissioned a comprehensive concours quality restoration in charcoal and burgundy with a black leather top. Subsequently, this automobile has been in Ralph Englestad's Imperial Palace Collection and the Blackhawk Collection owned by Don Williams. It was acquired by the current owners in 2016.
A bare Model J chassis before coachwork was sold for $8,500 and the new owner could take the car to a custom coachbuilder, often doubling the original price of the chassis. The Model J quickly became a status symbol, driven by royalty.
This long-wheelbase example, J-381, is a 1930 Town Car by the Walter M. Murphy Co. of Pasadena, California. It began as a rolling chassis in Indianapolis and was shipped to the New York factory showroom where it was purchased by Nanaline Duke, widow of American Tobacco Company founder J.B. Duke. The chassis was shipped off to Pasadena to receive one of only four Town Car bodies produced by Murphy.
The Murphy Town Cars sported some unique features such as narrow windshield posts, aluminum pillars, and a relatively flat roof that gives the car a sleek image despite the large formal body.
Mrs. Duke retained the car for a short time before selling it; since then it has passed through the hands of several collectors. Former owner Bill Lassiter treated it to a comprehensive frame-off restoration. This beautiful Model J runs as beautifully as it looks, making it a fine example of Classic American luxury.
Years after Mrs. Duke's ownership it was purchased by J.S. Person and retained it about ten years. By 1958, it was in the ownership of Judge Pat Ferchill of Fort Worth, Texas, still in unrestored and factory original condition. It was purchased from the Ferchill estate in the early 1980s by Dan Kruse, who sold it to Robert McGowan in Connecticut. Bill Lassiter of Florida purchased it in 1985 and commissioned a comprehensive concours quality restoration in charcoal and burgundy with a black leather top. Subsequently, this automobile has been in Ralph Englestad's Imperial Palace Collection and the Blackhawk Collection owned by Don Williams. It was acquired by the current owners in 2016.
2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $900,000-USD $1,200,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,254,000
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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Similar sales to the $1,725,476 range.
2005 Porsche Carrera GT Chassis#:WP0CA298X5L001404 Sold for $1,721,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A Chassis#:105379 Sold for $1,710,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham Chassis#:2440 Sold for $1,710,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Chassis#:WP0ZZZ95ZJS900247 Sold for $1,710,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
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1987 Porsche 959 Komfort Chassis#:WP0ZZZ95ZHS900051 Sold for $1,710,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis#:198.040.5500031 Sold for $1,737,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S By Bertone Chassis#:4155 Sold for $1,725,044 2023 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Chassis#:198.040.6500146 Sold for $1,737,500 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik Chassis#:123696 Sold for $1,710,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan by Murphy Chassis#:2132 Sold for $1,710,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#:198.040.5500243 Sold for $1,710,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Chassis#:198.040.5500801 Sold for $1,710,000 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
2015 Porsche 918 'Weissach' Spyder Chassis#:WP0CA2A18FS800586 Sold for $1,737,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1933 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II SPECIAL BROUGHAM BY BREWSTER Chassis#:218AMS Sold for $1,712,167 2021 RM Sothebys : A Passion for Elegance | |
1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Continuation Chassis#:S 851001 Sold for $1,710,000 2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection | |
1967 Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina Chassis#:9781 Sold for $1,710,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS497102 Sold for $1,710,000 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1990 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFMN34A0L0087041 Sold for $1,710,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy
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