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This distinctive Duesenberg J Town Limousine was ordered by Captain George Whittell Jr. and bodied by Murphy. Mr. Whittell was heir to a large California gold rush and real estate fortune and the ultimate playboy of his day who famously liquidated his entire stock portfolio (approximately $50 million at the time) just two weeks before the infamous stock market crash of 1929. A larger-than-life public figure in San Francisco society, Whittell engaged in numerous escapades with women, reckless street racing, and outrageous public appearances.
Whittell collaborated with Murphy Coach Builders for a fleet of custom Duesenbergs. This particular example is J-218, a Town Limousine by Murphy. The car's aluminum body, along with its rakishly angled windshield surrounded by Murphy's iconic 'Clear-Vision' window pillars, was designed by Franklin Q. Hershey. Among its many features are the classic Art Deco paint scheme, and a broad beltline of polished aluminum, seen on many of the Duesenbergs ordered by Whittell, but it has door vents in the hood rather than the usual louvers that are also a Whittell feature. The bare aluminum beltline was polished to a mirror finish to divide the black bottom from the white top. Chrome flashes such as the door hinges, tool and battery doors complete the look.
The Captain retained the car until 1939 when he sold it to his friend George Newhall Jr., whose son restored it before showing the car at Pebble Beach in 1971. A year later, the car was purchased by William Harrah, and two more California collectors followed. Its current owner became its seventh keeper in late 2015. The car has been freshly restored for its second appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2018.
Whittell collaborated with Murphy Coach Builders for a fleet of custom Duesenbergs. This particular example is J-218, a Town Limousine by Murphy. The car's aluminum body, along with its rakishly angled windshield surrounded by Murphy's iconic 'Clear-Vision' window pillars, was designed by Franklin Q. Hershey. Among its many features are the classic Art Deco paint scheme, and a broad beltline of polished aluminum, seen on many of the Duesenbergs ordered by Whittell, but it has door vents in the hood rather than the usual louvers that are also a Whittell feature. The bare aluminum beltline was polished to a mirror finish to divide the black bottom from the white top. Chrome flashes such as the door hinges, tool and battery doors complete the look.
The Captain retained the car until 1939 when he sold it to his friend George Newhall Jr., whose son restored it before showing the car at Pebble Beach in 1971. A year later, the car was purchased by William Harrah, and two more California collectors followed. Its current owner became its seventh keeper in late 2015. The car has been freshly restored for its second appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2018.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
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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