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1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe

  • Coachwork by Murphy
  • Chassis Number: 2446
  • Engine Number: J-429
  • Body Number: 913
The Walter M. Murphy Company constructed bodies for many expensive automobiles, including Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and Packard. They are most famous for their work on the Model J Duesenberg - a chassis for which the company built at least 125 bodies. they built a wide array of styles for the Duesenberg, from formal town cars to clear-vision sedans. Perhaps their most popular and most recognized body style was the convertible coupe, which accounted for approximately one-third of Murphy-bodied Duesenbergs. By the early 1930s, Murphy had begun constructing these bodies 'in the white' so that customers seeking the convertible coupe would not have to wait to receive coachwork for their new Duesenbergs.

In the early 1920s, General Manager George R. Fredricks and Designer Charles Gerry developed an articulation that retracted a convertible top completely into a well behind the seats. This allowed it to be discreetly covered by a metal canopy when not in use. It also gave the bodywork a seamless, speedster-style profile and a modern appearance. Bodies that employed this system were known as Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupes.

The chassis for J-429 was completed on December 30th of 1930 and began testing at the Duesenberg factory in Indiana. It was sold to its first owner as a bare chassis. It was delivered to the Walter M. Murphy Company where it received the Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe bodystyle bearing body number 913. It is believed that this was among the last Model Js bodied by Murphy before the coachbuilder closed its doors in 1932.

The pre-war history of J-429 is not known. By the late 1940s, it had passed into the care of a Hartford, Connecticut attorney. At this point in history, the car was finished in maroon and outfitted with external SJ-type exhaust pipes, Lyon metal tire covers, twin horns, and factory headlamps.

The car was sold in May of 1948 through car dealer Russell G. Sceli to David S. Bloom, a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Bloom did not own the car for very long, selling it in June of 1949 to Charles Allen, a resident of both Pennsylvania and California. Mr. Allen installed sweep-hand instruments. After discovering an issue with the clutch or transmission, Mr. Allen decided to store the car in Pennsylvania. It remained in storage until July of 1961 when Los Angeles car collector Bob Estes paid $5,500 for it. When Estes passed away in 2001, the car was purchased by John Groendyke of Enid, Oklahoma. It was soon sold to Dave Kane of Bernardsville, New Jersey. In 2003, J-429 was purchased by the current caretaker. Since then, the car has been given a complete restoration. It is finished in light green coachwork with brown leather upholstery and whitewall tires. Since the work has been completed, the car has not been shown or judged at any major concours events.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $2,000,000 - $2,400,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $2,695,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013

2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,000,000-USD $2,400,000 
Sale Price :
USD $2,695,000

1933 Duesenberg Model J Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J

(Data based on Model Year 1933 sales)
1933 DUESENBERG MODEL J 'SWEEP PANEL' DUAL-COWL PHAETON
Chassis#: 2355
Sold for USD$1,655,000
  2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction
1933 Duesenberg Model J image  1933 Duesenberg Model J image  
1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Disappearing Top Roadster
Chassis#: 2421
Sold for USD$3,850,000
  2018 Mecum : Monterey
1933 Duesenberg Model J image  1933 Duesenberg Model J image  
1933 Duesenberg Model J Sunroof Berline by Franay
Sold for USD$715,000
  2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall
1933 Duesenberg Model J image  1933 Duesenberg Model J image  
1933 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2446
Sold for USD$2,695,000
  2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1933 Duesenberg Model J image  1933 Duesenberg Model J image  
1933 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Victoria by Rollston
Chassis#: J384
Sold for USD$979,000
  2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
1933 Duesenberg Model J image  1933 Duesenberg Model J image  
1933 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Convertible Victoria
Chassis#: 2535
Sold for USD$1,437,000
  2009 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club
1933 Duesenberg Model J image  1933 Duesenberg Model J image  

Duesenberg Model Js That Failed To Sell At Auction

1933 Duesenberg Model J's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe24212017 Mecum : Indianapolis$3,000,000  
1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe24212017 Mecum : Kissimmee   
1933 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe24212016 Mecum : Monterey$3,600,000  
1933 Duesenberg Model J23552009 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Houston Classic Auction$1,250,000$1,600,000$1,800,000

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1933 Duesenberg Model J

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Duesenberg Model J model years

1933 Duesenberg Model J Vehicle Profiles

1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Sedan
Coachwork: Weymann
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Engine #: J-358
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Town Car
Coachwork: Murphy
Chassis #: 2469
Engine #: J-427
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Berline
Coachwork: Franay
Chassis #: 2385
Engine #: J-365
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Torpedo Convertible Victoria
Coachwork: Rollston & Company
Chassis #: 2535
Engine #: J384
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Victoria
Coachwork: Fernandez & Darrin
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2503
Engine #: J-481
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Convertible Coupe
Coachwork: Bohman & Schwartz
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2421
Engine #: J-386
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Convertible Sedan Berline
Coachwork: Murphy
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Convertible Coupe
Coachwork: Murphy
Chassis #: 2446
Engine #: J-429
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Sports Phaeton
Coachwork: LaGrande
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
1933 Duesenberg Model J vehicle information
Dual-Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork: Union City
Designer: Gordon Buehrig
Chassis #: 2355
Engine #: J-281