conceptcarz.com

Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sport Sedan

  • Coachwork by Murphy
  • Chassis Number: 2163
  • Engine Number: J-139
In 1920, Frederick and August Duesenberg founded Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc. The brothers were great engineers and produced many high-performance marine and racing engines before starting to produce cars in the early 1920s. Duesenberg was bought by Errett Lobban Cord in 1926. Cord challenged Fred to create a luxurious car to be an American answer to cars such as Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, etc. and the Model J was born.

Ownership of these powerful cars was the province of the rich and famous. The chassis alone sold for $8,500. Coach work was additional and ranged from $3,500 to $12,000. This 1929 Model J Sports coachwork by the Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California. Murphy is known as the most successful coachbuilder for the Model J chassis, a fact evidenced by the simplicity and elegance of the body. Its sharply vee'd windshield is reminiscent of wooden boats of the same era. It is considered one of the most beautiful of all closed Duesenbergs. The engine in the Model J was one of Duesenberg's and America's best. The Lycoming Straight 8 420 cubic-inch double-overhead-cam with four valves per cylinder produced 265 horsepower. The powerful engine drove the chassis through a Warner 3-speed transmission. To stop the car, Duesenberg designed hydraulic brakes with a vacuum brake booster. The level of assistance could be adjusted via a knob on the dashboard.

This Model J Sport Sedan is one of only two built and has sported the original engine, chassis and body from the day of manufacture.

2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $700,000-USD $900,000 
Sale Price :
USD $792,000

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  

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $1,578,456 range.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#:198.040.6500214
Sold for $1,572,500
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  
1953 Siata 208S Spider
Chassis#:BS518
Sold for $1,572,500
2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
Chassis#:07767
Sold for $1,586,250
2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction
1962 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER
Chassis#:198.042.10.003105
Sold for $1,572,500
2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1987 Porsche 959 Komfort
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ95ZHS900057
Sold for $1,563,355
2021 RM Sothebys : London
2012 Aston Martin One-77
Chassis#:SCFGFXXX3BGS17725
Sold for $1,589,298
2021 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz, Switzerland
DJ DEADMAU5s 2015 MCLAREN P1
Chassis#:SBM12ABA6FW000236
Sold for $1,567,500
2021 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Sold for $1,567,500
2021 Mecum : Kissimmee
1983 Ferrari 126 C3-068 Formule 1
Chassis#:068
Sold for $1,575,488
2020 Artcurial : Retromobile
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#:198.040.6500206
Sold for $1,581,250
2019 RM Sothebys : Abu Dhabi
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB
Chassis#:06887
Sold for $1,572,500
2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1931 Bugatti Type 50 Roadster
Chassis#:50123
Sold for $1,581,340
2019 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba
2005 Maserati MC12
Chassis#:ZAMDF44B000017561
Sold for $1,575,000
2015 Mecum : Monterey
1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Chassis#:198.042.10.002530
Sold for $1,567,500
2015 Gooding & Company - Arizona
2003 Ferrari Enzo
Chassis#:ZFFCZ56B000132653
Sold for $1,580,320
2014 RM Auctions - London
1948 Tucker 48
Chassis#:1036
Sold for $1,567,500
2014 RM Auctions at Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  
1934 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Sedan by LeBaron
Chassis#:2515
Sold for $1,567,500
2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  
1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 Sports Racer
Chassis#:105 800 23
Sold for $1,591,628
2012 RM Auctions at Monaco
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  
1953 Siata 208 S Spider
Chassis#:BS 514
Sold for $1,567,500
2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Berlinetta
Chassis#:0452MD
Sold for $1,567,500
2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy

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

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Vehicle Profiles