1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan

The Duesenberg Model J was introduced at the New York Auto Salon on December 1, 1928, where it stole the show. Duesenbergs were bodied by all the great American coachbuilders including Derham, LeBaron, Judkins, Brunn, and Rollston, but perhaps the most popular coachbuilder was the Murphy Company of Pasadena, California.

This Duesenberg, with Murphy convertible sedan coachwork, was used as a demonstrator at Duesenberg's New York dealership before being transferred to Los Angeles where it was sold in 1934 to Hollywood art director Cedric Gibbons, who was married to film star Dolores del Rio. The car has remained in California for most of its life. In 1986 it was acquired by Bruce Meyer, who commissioned Randy Ema to carry out a full restoration. This car was First in Class at the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and has won numerous other awards. It has run the Motoring Classic, from Seattle to Pebble Beach, a testament of the durability of a Model J almost 100 years old.

This Duesenberg has a 142.5 inch wheelbase and a Convertible Sedan body with four doors and seating for five passengers. The Convertible Sedan was one of Duesenberg's most popular body styles, recognized for its clean lines and simplistic styling, coupled with the might of the Model J Lycoming engine.

This Duesenberg Model J wears Convertible Sedan coachwork by Murphy. It was originally used as a demonstrator where prospective clients were given test drives at the Duesenberg Factory Branch in New York City. Having served its purpose, J-208 was sold on March 14, 1931, to its first owner, Joseph T. Powers of Pennsylvania. Mr. Powers passed away shortly thereafter, and his estate sold the Duesenberg in September 1932 to Arthur Hopkins, returning it to New York City. This ownership was also brief, as it was soon acquired by a family from San Francisco and relocated West, where it has spent the vast majority of its existence. Owned briefly by a Mr. Ryan in Los Angeles, it was then acquired in 1934 by Cedric Gibbons.

After at least a decade of ownership, J-208 was sold to Bob Roberts and Joe Reindl. Frank Ehrlin of Palo Alto purchased it after World War II, selling it in 1956 to Ed Bernhard of Coronado, California, who kept it until 1977, when it was sold to Phil Renick of Fullerton, California. In 1980, it was sold to Byron Tarnutzer of San Diego, and six years later, it entered the care of Bruce Meyer of Beverly Hills.

While in Mr. Meyer's care, the Duesenberg was setn to Randy Ema's shop in Orange, California, which undertook a complete restoration to concours standards in rich two-tone red with a tan leather interior and canvas top. The work was completed in 1987, and shown at that year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it won its class, followed by many other awards at events on the West Coast.

This Duesenberg remained with Mr. Meyer's until 1989, when it was sold to Andy Granatelli, who later sold it in the late 1990s to the Milhous brothers of Boca Raton, FLorid. They kept J-208 for over a decade, and in 2012, it was acquired by the Academy of Art University.

This Duesenberg retains its original frame and firewall, as well as its original Murphy coachwork. During the early postwar era, its engine was exchanged by Roberts or Reindl, with J-488. The period replacement crankshaft 222 remains in the car today.

This Duesenberg has dual horns, SJ-style chromed side exhausts, and Marchal headlamps (the headlamps are believed to have been installed early in the car's life).

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023