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1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton

  • Coachwork by Murphy
  • Chassis Number: 2366
  • Engine Number: J-347
This Duesenberg Model J is one of the three Dual Cowl Phaetons built by the coachbuilder Walter M. Murphy of Pasadena, California in 1930. This Model J was delivered directly to the home of its first owner, John F. Howard, in Mexico. He sold the car in 1945, but it remained in Mexico and had several short-term owners before it was sold in 1950 to a film studio there. The next owner put the car in storage at the Mexico City Airport, where it was discovered in 1962 still in original condition and with only 44,000 miles on the clock. After its restoration by a new owner, the car was enjoyed by multiple generations of his family for 54 years and was also displayed at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana. The current owners acquired this car in 2016.
Chassis # 2366 and engine # J-347 were bodied by Murphy as a dual-cowl phaeton and delivered to John F. Howard. Howard was famous as 'The Mayonnaise King' having made millions from salad dressings produced to his wife's recipes in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He moved to Mexico where he secured a divorce and it was there that the Model J was sent from its birthplace in Southern California.

The dark purple finish and red leather interior are both well-preserved but have a rich patina. The interior retains a steering wheel from a Mercedes-Benz of the 1930s, a feature the car has had for decades and which has become something of a signature.

The Duesenberg dual-cowl phaeton design incorporated a Murphy signature, a vee'd rear windshield mounted on a center-hinged two-piece tonneau. Adjusting one side of the windshield allowed the tonneau on that side to be lifted so that one passenger could exit without disturbing the other. A bonus was that the so-called 'butterfly' windshield which gave the Murphy dual-cowl phaeton a lightness of line.
The Duesenberg J was unabashedly advertised as 'The World's Finest Motor Car' and the only copy used in many of the company's advertisements was simply, 'He (or she) drives a Duesenberg.' The list of Duesenberg owners was a Who's Who of Holly elite along with captains of industry. No wonder - a bare chassis began at $7,500.00 before coachwork was supplied. Most cost between $15,000 and $20,000 fully equipped (a Ford Model A in 1929 cost about $400).

This Duesenberg wears a Dual-Cowl Phaeton body by Murphy. When new, it was delivered to John F. Howard. Mr. Howard later relocated to Mexico and the car accompanied him. This was the first of two Duesenbergs that Mr. Howard would own - the other example being a Willoughby-bodied Model SJ limousine that no longer exists.

Just three examples of the short-wheelbase Model J were given original Murphy dual-cowl phaeton bodies. A fourth long-wheelbase car was also bodied by Murphy. Murphy ceased operations in April 1932, but not before bodying 144 Duesenberg chassis, more than any other coachbuilder.

All three of the Murphy-bodied short-wheelbase dual-cowl phaetons differ slightly in detail. This particular example has windows in the front doors, which, when raised, served as 'wind wings.' When lowered, the windows hide completely from sight.

This car's next owner was Antonio Llegoreta Gonzalez, via a Mexico City dealership, who purchased it in February of 1945. This was followed by a succession of short-term Mexican owners. In 1950, it was acquired by the ALTA film studio. The car's next owner put it into 'storage', in the parking lot of the airport in Mexico City where it was surrounded by a short brick wall, which helped preserve it from theft. In 1962, it was discovered by Raymond Wolff. At the time, it was still walled up.

Mr. Wolff purchased the car and brought it back to the United States, via Monterey. At the time, the car showed 43,832 miles. A short time later, the car was sold to the father of its current owner. It remained in their family for the next 54 years.

The car currently wears its original restoration by John Griffin, which the family displayed at Hershey in October of 1963. It is finished in dark purple with a red leather interior. There is a wooden steering wheel from a Mercedes-Benz of the 1930s.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2016

2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,600,000-USD $2,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $2,090,000

1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J Murphy

(Data based on Model Year 1930 sales)
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2369
Sold for USD$3,855,000
  2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2228
Sold for USD$1,380,000
  2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy
Chassis#: 2377
Sold for USD$1,490,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by Murphy
Chassis#: 2294
Sold for USD$3,525,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2369
Sold for USD$3,965,000
  2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2167
Sold for USD$1,132,500
  2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline
Chassis#: 2305
Sold for USD$2,040,000
  2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by Murphy
Chassis#: 2345
Sold for USD$1,105,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : The Guyton Collection
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual-Cowl Phaeton by Murphy
Chassis#: 2366
Sold for USD$2,090,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 DUESENBERG MODEL J TOWN CABRIOLET
Chassis#: 2401
Sold for USD$1,254,000
  2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2388
Sold for USD$2,640,000
  2016 Gooding & Company : The Amelia Island Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 DUESENBERG MODEL J DISAPPEARING TOP ROADSTER
Chassis#: 2346
Sold for USD$2,868,312
  2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Berline Convertible
Chassis#: 2315
Sold for USD$1,425,000
  2014 Mecum - Monterey
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2388
Sold for USD$2,200,000
  2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2310
Sold for USD$2,640,000
  2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Walter M. Murphy Co
Chassis#: J331
Sold for USD$962,500
  2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline by Murphy
Chassis#: 2305
Sold for USD$1,705,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Five-Passenger Club Sedan
Chassis#: 2261
Sold for USD$506,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
 
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy
Sold for USD$1,072,500
  2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island
1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1930 DUESENBERG J ARLINGTON SEDAN
Sold for USD$660,000
  2007 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2007
 

Duesenberg Model J Murphys That Failed To Sell At Auction

1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High

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Sold for $1,710,000
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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#:198.040.5500243
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1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy vehicle thumbnail image  

1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy

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