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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.
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 Sport Sedan by Murphy Chassis#: 2132 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 2165 Sold for USD$2,365,000 2022 Mecum : Glendale | |
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 Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2245 Sold for USD$2,365,000 2021 Mecum : Monterey | |
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 Convertible Coupe by Murphy Chassis#: 2168 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
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 Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe by Murphy Chassis#: 2199 Sold for USD$3,000,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
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 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 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 Sport Sedan by Walter M. Murphy Co. Chassis#: 2163 Sold for USD$792,000 2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA | |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe Chassis#: 2134 Sold for USD$1,897,500 2012 RM Auctions - Monterey | |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2225 Sold for USD$522,500 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | |
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 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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1929 Duesenberg Model J Clear-Vision Sedan by Murphy | 2209 | 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $750,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan | 2194 | 2014 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
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