1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe

The Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe was the epitome of Duesenberg elegance. This particular coupe with chassis number 2310 and engine J-284 was used by Buster Keaton's son, Jim Talmadge, to explore the California desserts. The car was built as a J, but a blower has since been added.

J-284 was originally delivered to the Duesenberg factory's Los Angeles branch in 1930. It remained unsold for some time so it was transferred to the New York concessionaire. The car's first recorded owner was East Coast socialite J.W.Y. Martin. By the Fall of 1935, Mr. Martin returned the Model J to the New York branch and was sold to a nearby dealer, Jacod & Company. The history of the next decade is not fully known.

The next known owner, John Warwick of Reno, Nevada kept it for at least five years before selling it to J.W. Isbell. After a brief period at Vann Motors in Reno, in June 1962 the Duesenberg captured William Craig's attention. After acquiring the car, he performed a sympathetic restoration and finished the vehicle in red livery.

In 1967, the car was purchased by Bernard Miller from Mr. Craig. A few years later, he sold it to Leo Gephart, who sold it to Richard Slobodian of New Jersey. During Mr. Slobodian's ownership, the car was given a comprehensive restoration that included the installation of an SJ supercharger, sourced from J-401, a car owned by Mr. Slobodian at the time. The car was given Bakelite running boards, sweep-hand instruments, chrome wire wheels, Pilot Ray driving lights and gleaming side exhausts.

After the work was completed, the car was featured in the September 1973 issue of The Classic Car, the official magazine of the CCCA.

By the early 1980s, the car was sold to New Jersey resident William Murray. Ownership later passed to John Denlinger, who eventually consigned it to the Imperial Palace. A short time later, the car joined General William Lyon's famed Duesenberg collection in Southern California. The car would spend over 15 years with the Lyon Collection before being acquired by the current caretaker.

In 2007, the car made its first appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Since that time, the car has been shown sparingly.

In 2012, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car had an estimated value of $1,600,000 - $2,200,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $2,640,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium.