Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Rumors exist that the original owner of this Duesenberg J-450 was George Whittell Jr. However, there is no conclusive evidence regarding its earliest owner. As is best understood, the car was originally delivered to a woman living in California who returned it to Pasadena where it was subsequently restyled by Bohman & Schwartz. The original coachwork was a limousine body built by the Walter M. Murphy Company.
The exterior was originally dark blue with polished aluminum and chrome. Bohman & Schwartz updated the styling with bullet headlights, mildly skirted fenders, and trim reminiscent of the JN series. The Berline has a highly polished beltline, 1934 Cadillac taillights, body-colored wheel discs, and whitewall tires.
Bohman & Schwartz finished the work in 1934 and delivered it to its first known owner, Jonas Bloom. In 1941, the car was sold to Atherton, California resident J.D. O'Keefe. Later in the decade, it was sold to W.C. Ray of Reno, Nevada.
William Harrah purchased the vehicle in 1948, prior to the establishment of Harrah's Automobile Collection. It remained in his care until 1954, when it was sold to William Craig of Reno, NV. After seven years with Mr. Craig, it was sold to Mr. Emery near Seattle, Washington. By 1963, the car was with E. Rambauer who sold it to J. Cunningham two years later. In 1966, John Dennis acquired the car, and it has remained with him ever since. During the past 45 years, the car has been treated to a sympathetic restoration, preserving the original upholstery and maintaining a high degree of authenticity.
In 1983, the car was given a high-speed rear end for improved highway performance. In 1989, it was given an external exhaust system.
Between 1988 and 1989, the car was loaned to the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum.
The engine is this vehicle is J-450. It is thought that the engine could actually be J-213 and has been re-numbered to J-450.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. It was estimated to sell for $550,000-$650,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $495,000 including the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
The exterior was originally dark blue with polished aluminum and chrome. Bohman & Schwartz updated the styling with bullet headlights, mildly skirted fenders, and trim reminiscent of the JN series. The Berline has a highly polished beltline, 1934 Cadillac taillights, body-colored wheel discs, and whitewall tires.
Bohman & Schwartz finished the work in 1934 and delivered it to its first known owner, Jonas Bloom. In 1941, the car was sold to Atherton, California resident J.D. O'Keefe. Later in the decade, it was sold to W.C. Ray of Reno, Nevada.
William Harrah purchased the vehicle in 1948, prior to the establishment of Harrah's Automobile Collection. It remained in his care until 1954, when it was sold to William Craig of Reno, NV. After seven years with Mr. Craig, it was sold to Mr. Emery near Seattle, Washington. By 1963, the car was with E. Rambauer who sold it to J. Cunningham two years later. In 1966, John Dennis acquired the car, and it has remained with him ever since. During the past 45 years, the car has been treated to a sympathetic restoration, preserving the original upholstery and maintaining a high degree of authenticity.
In 1983, the car was given a high-speed rear end for improved highway performance. In 1989, it was given an external exhaust system.
Between 1988 and 1989, the car was loaned to the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum.
The engine is this vehicle is J-450. It is thought that the engine could actually be J-213 and has been re-numbered to J-450.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. It was estimated to sell for $550,000-$650,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $495,000 including the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $550,000-USD $650,000
Sale Price :
USD $495,000
1934 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J
(Data based on Model Year 1934 sales)
34 Duesenberg Model J Town Car Chassis#: 2531 Sold for USD$1,012,000 2020 Gooding & Company : Geared Online | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Phaeton Chassis#: 2579 Sold for USD$478,000 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Prince of Wales Berline Chassis#: 2575 Sold for USD$450,500 2019 Bonhams : Tupelo Auction | |
1934 DUESENBERG J MURPHY LWB CUSTOM BEVERLY SEDAN Chassis#: 2489 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Berline Chassis#: 2457 Sold for USD$495,000 2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Riviera Phaeton by Brunn Chassis#: 2550 Sold for USD$990,000 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Boattail Speedster by Bob Gassoway Chassis#: 2159 Sold for USD$506,000 2011 RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. Johns | |
1934 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Sedan Sold for USD$962,500 2010 Auctions America : Auburn Collector Car Auction | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe Sold for USD$1,815,000 2010 Gooding and Company - Scottsdale Auction | |
1934 Duesenberg J Supercharged Dual Cowl Phaeton Sold for USD$407,000 2007 Worldwide Auctions - Sterling McCall 2007 | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Sold for USD$1,210,000 2006 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction | |
1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Chassis#: J534 Sold for USD$2,750,000 2005 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona |
Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction
1934 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1934 Duesenberg Model J Town Car by Murphy | 2531 | 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | $1,025,000 | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 |
1934 DUESENBERG J482 MURPHY CONVERTIBLE SEDAN | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $490,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $1,042,167 range.
1998 RUF BTR Chassis#:W09TD0364WPR06013 Sold for $1,050,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coachwork by Bertone Chassis#:4124 Sold for $1,037,077 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 d'Ieteren Frères Cabriolet Chassis#:13033 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:189.010.7500563 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO Chassis#:ZFF70RCA0B0183377 Sold for $1,039,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500277 Sold for $1,040,093 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
2021 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9DW4MH200013 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
2020 Ford GT Carbon Series Chassis#:2FAGP9DW8LH100186 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Chassis#:1120018 Sold for $1,032,718 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
2005 Porsche Carrera GT Chassis#:WP0CA29885L001160 Sold for $1,033,500 2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Sold for $1,045,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.7500570 Sold for $1,039,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2547 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2020 Ford GT MkII Chassis#:FPMMMK11012 Sold for $1,045,000 2022 Mecum : Monterey | |
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Drophead Coupe by Lancefield Chassis#:169317 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Lightweight Chassis#:964018 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1966 SHELBY 427 COBRA Chassis#:CSX 3192 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500137 Sold for $1,035,821 2022 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.10.002899 Sold for $1,043,753 2021 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz, Switzerland |
1934 Duesenberg Model J
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Duesenberg Model J model years