1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sport Sedan

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.