1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sport Sedan

Owned by such people as Clark Gable, the Duke of Windsor, Gary Cooper, and others, Duesenberg certainly exemplified quality and luxury. Advertised as 'the best car in the world' Duesenberg's Model J remains one of the most desirable and collectible of all Duesenbergs.

Another fine example of a Duesenberg Model J was to cross the block at RM Auction's Monterey event on the 17th of August in 2012. The example up for auction would be a Model J Sport Sedan by the Walter M. Murphy Co. which was estimated to draw between $800,000 and $1,000,000 prior to the auction.

The model offered at the auction is actually the first of just two examples that would be bodied by the Murphy company and are also one of the earliest Model Js known to be built. Designed by Walter M. Murphy Company's Chief Designer Franklin Hershey, chassis 2132 would feature Hershey's ground-breaking door-into-the-roof design and would boast of such design elements as opposing doors, back window pull-down blinds, and the elegant 'V'-shaped cowl that contours along with the windshield.

Chassis 2132 actually had been featured by Duesenberg in the San Francisco Salon in 1929. Not long after that exposure, the car would be sold to the Norris family. The Norris family had an extensive portfolio of holdings mostly in Chicago and Colorado Springs. One of those holdings included the famous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs and this is where the Duesenberg would spend most of its life.

It wouldn't be much after having been purchased by the Norris family that the car would be returned to the factory to have some changes and updates made to the car. The car would originally leave the factory with its Auburn gas pedal but it would return to the factory to be fitted with those striking and aesthetically pleasing chromed shutters. In addition, the carburetion would be changed to a downdraft Stromberg.

With the Stromberg conversion, the 420 cu. in. eight-cylinder engine would be capable of producing some 265 bhp. This would give the sport sedan 100 more horsepower than its nearest competitor, and therefore, would also have a top speed faster than any other pre-World War II road car.

This stout, elegant performer would remain with the Norris family until 1985, at which time it would be purchased by the noted John Mozart. Mozart would then take the Murphy-bodied Model J to Pebble Beach in 1986 where it would receive Second in Class. Ownership would then transfer to Jerry Moore of Texas in 1991. The car would again be sold a few years after Mr. Moore took ownership. It would again change hands right around the beginning of the new millennium and would go through a thorough restoration a couple of years later.

Complete with a dark blue livery and blue leather top, chassis 2132 remains stunning and very active to this very day. In 2007, 2008 and 2010, the car would take part in Duesenberg tours arranged by Mr. Sam Mann and would remain cared for by marque expert Brian Joseph.

Strikingly-beautiful and exceedingly rare in so many points, chassis 2132 would certainly be one of the highlights of the auction and an important piece of history to behold; a true legend within the mythical Model J line.

Sources:
'Lot No. 142: 1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan', (http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&fc=1). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&fc=1. Retrieved 30 July 2012.

'1929 Duesenberg Model J News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13531/Duesenberg-Model-J.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13531/Duesenberg-Model-J.aspx. Retrieved 30 July 2012.

By Jeremy McMullen