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E.L. Cord, the owner of Auburn and other transportation firms, purchased the Duesenberg Motor Corporation on October 26, 1926. He was impressed with the brothers' engineering skills and of course, the prestigious brand name. His intent was to produce a car that would rival the size, power, and luxury of top European brands such as Rolls-Royce and Isotta Fraschini.
Upon Cord's takeover, the new company was renamed 'Duesenberg, Inc.' The newly revived Duesenberg company set about to produce the Model J, which debuted on December 1st at the New York Car Show of 1928.
The Model J Duesenberg boasted a four-valve per-cylinder straight-eight engine that produced more than twice the horsepower of its nearest competitor. With a top speed approaching 120 miles per hour, they were the fastest and most expensive American automobile on the market. Proclaimed the 'world's finest motor car,' each example evoked an aura of nobility and extravagance.
The Walter M. Murphy Company, based in Pasadena, CA, built about 200 bodies on the Duesenberg chassis - more than any other coachbuilder. Having a clean, modern, and fresh appearance, Murphy set the pace for custom body designs of the 1930s. This particular example is a Convertible Coupe and one of the first 25 J models produced, highlighted by a unique and experimental bumper. It has won several National First Place Awards.
The original purchaser of this Model J, Humphrey W. Chadbourn who purchased it for $13,500, had the factory add a spotlight, an electric siren, Martin Cord tires, and the 'HWC' monogram on each door, which remains to this day. When the factory closed in 1937, he sold the car to a Yale student. Numerous owners later, the current owner bought and restored J112 in 1996. It has earned several national awards and completed four National Duesenberg Tours.By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019
Upon Cord's takeover, the new company was renamed 'Duesenberg, Inc.' The newly revived Duesenberg company set about to produce the Model J, which debuted on December 1st at the New York Car Show of 1928.
The Model J Duesenberg boasted a four-valve per-cylinder straight-eight engine that produced more than twice the horsepower of its nearest competitor. With a top speed approaching 120 miles per hour, they were the fastest and most expensive American automobile on the market. Proclaimed the 'world's finest motor car,' each example evoked an aura of nobility and extravagance.
The Walter M. Murphy Company, based in Pasadena, CA, built about 200 bodies on the Duesenberg chassis - more than any other coachbuilder. Having a clean, modern, and fresh appearance, Murphy set the pace for custom body designs of the 1930s. This particular example is a Convertible Coupe and one of the first 25 J models produced, highlighted by a unique and experimental bumper. It has won several National First Place Awards.
The original purchaser of this Model J, Humphrey W. Chadbourn who purchased it for $13,500, had the factory add a spotlight, an electric siren, Martin Cord tires, and the 'HWC' monogram on each door, which remains to this day. When the factory closed in 1937, he sold the car to a Yale student. Numerous owners later, the current owner bought and restored J112 in 1996. It has earned several national awards and completed four National Duesenberg Tours.By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019
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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