1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan

The Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California produced bodies for a number of expensive automobiles, including Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and Packard - but they are most famous for their work on the Model J Duesenberg, a chassis for which the company built at least 125 bodies.

The Convertible Sedan was the most popular body style offered for the Model J, with approximately 50 individual bodies built in total. The open body style became so popular that, by the early 1930s, Murphy had begun to construct these bodies 'in the white' so that customers seeking a Murphy Body would not have to wait months to receive coachwork for their new Duesenberg.

This particular example with engine number J-173 was originally used as a demonstrator, either by the factory, or - more likely - the New York distributor.

The car was delivered to its first owner, Alice McCollister, in 1930. It remained with Ms. McCollister until the mid-to-late 1930s when it was sold to Peter Saladino of Jamaica, New York. It would remain in the Saladino family for six decades.

In 1998, the Saladinos sold the car to Bob Bahre of Paris, Maine. Mark Johnson of Rice Lake, Wisconsin acquired the car in 2000. In 2001, it was invited to take part in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was placed in the Preservation Class. It was awarded a Class Award and it earned the FIVA award for the best-preserved and regularly driven automobile.

The current owner acquired the car in 2011.

The ACD Club has confirmed this as a Category One car - retaining its original chassis, engine, and coachwork. It was issued a FIVA passport with the A2 classification.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014