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1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Berline

  • Coachwork by Murphy
  • Chassis Number: 2307
  • Engine Number: J288
This Convertible Berline with coachwork by the Murphy body company of Pasadena, California is a long-wheelbase chassis that measures 153.5 inches. It was built with a shutter front radiator, hydraulic shock absorbers, an 8-into-1 exhaust manifold, and an updraft carburetor. It left the Murphy factory with Pilot Ray driving lights, dual side-mounted spares with chrome wire wheels, and wide whitewall tires. It was finished in ivory with a tan top and silk mohair upholstery and a rear-mounted instrument panel with a speedometer.

The vehicle was delivered new to L.H. McCormick of Chicago, Illinois via the Los Angeles Duesenberg Factory Branch. The second owner was Ms. Gertrude Lucille Ludlow of Walkerton, Indiana, who registered the car in Indiana in 1934. After Ms. Ludlow's ownership, the car went to Chicago Duesenberg dealer John Troka. Two more Chicago owners followed (T.W. Botts and O'Toole) before the car returned to John Troka. Troka sold the car on November 19th of 1940 to Oscar Unterscheutz, then bought it back from him in the early 1940s. In 1943 Troka sold the car to D. Cameron Peck, also of Chicago, who painted the car dark grey and fitted it with silver leather.

Two additional short-term owners followed before it was purchased by its next long-term owner, Richard F. Van Horne of Ohio, who eventually sold it to Sylvester Rugg of Newark, Ohio. Mills b. Lane of Atlanta, Georgia bought it in 1961 from Mr. Rugg. In 1964, it was sold to dealer Dr. Don Vesley, at which point it showed 81,000 miles. Two weeks later Vesley sold the car to Ed Jurist's Vintage Car store in Nyack, New York.

Harold Harmon became the car's new owner on April 11th of 1966 and retained the car for six years before selling it to a partnership of Bob Adams and Leo Gephart in June 1972. David Block of New York City became the next long-term owner, buying the car in July of 1972 and keeping it until 1986 when he sold it to dealer Tom Barrett of Chicago, Illinois, who quickly sold it to Detroit-area collector Richard Kughn.

In 1988, it was sold to Don Williams' Blackhawk Collection. In 1990, it joined the Imperial Palace's Duesenberg collection. Dean V. Kruse purchased the car in November of 1999 as part of a 34 Duesenberg purchase. In 2003, it was back in the Blackhawk Collection, where it remained until the vendor purchased it in 2005. While in their care, the car was given a full engine rebuild along with other mechanical components.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the St. John auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $850,000. As bidding came to a close, the car was sold for the sum of $704,000 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011

2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Sale Price :
USD $725,000

2011 RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. Johns

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $750,000-USD $850,000 
Sale Price :
USD $704,000

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J Murphy

(Data based on Model Year 1929 sales)
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2265
Sold for USD$3,305,000
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan by Murphy
Chassis#: 2132
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2165
Sold for USD$2,365,000
  2022 Mecum : Glendale
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J 'Butterfly' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by Murphy
Chassis#: 2169
Sold for USD$3,305,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2245
Sold for USD$2,365,000
  2021 Mecum : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Torpedo by Murphy
Chassis#: 2199
Sold for USD$5,725,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2168
Sold for USD$1,430,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy
Chassis#: J259
Sold for USD$880,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Santa Monica
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2551
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Motor City
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2199
Sold for USD$3,000,000
  2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg J Convertible Coupe, Rumbleseat
Sold for USD$2,530,000
  2015 Morphy Auctions : Premier Automobile Sale
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2134
Sold for USD$2,365,000
  2013 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual-Cowl Phaeton in the style of Murphy
Chassis#: 2201
Sold for USD$682,000
  2013 RM Auctions - St John's
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 DUESENBERG MODEL J CABRIOLET MURPHY
Sold for USD$1,319,888
  2013 ARTCURIAL MOTORCARS À RÉTROMOBILE
 
1929 DUESENBERG J MURPHY BERLINE CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 2307
Sold for USD$725,000
  2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan by Walter M. Murphy Co.
Chassis#: 2163
Sold for USD$792,000
  2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2134
Sold for USD$1,897,500
  2012 RM Auctions - Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2225
Sold for USD$522,500
  2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy Inc
Chassis#: 2307
Sold for USD$704,000
  2011 RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. Johns
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Clear Vision Sedan
Chassis#: 2209 / J187
Sold for USD$742,500
  2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
 

Duesenberg Model J Murphys That Failed To Sell At Auction

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1929 Duesenberg Model J Clear-Vision Sedan by Murphy22092018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island $750,000$1,000,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan21942014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours $1,350,000$1,750,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy 2007 Bonhams, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia $850,000$950,000
1929 DUESENBERG MURPHY ROADSTER 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona$625,000  

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1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy

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