1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Roadster

The Duesenberg Model J was introduced at the New York Auto Salon on December 1, 1928, and was more powerful, faster, and better built than any other American automobile. Equipped with a DOHC straight-eight engine rated at 265 horsepower, it was nearly double that of its next most powerful competitor. Priced at $8,500 for the bare, running chassis, it was one of the most expensive automobiles of its era. Among the long and distinguished list of coachbuilders who clothed the Model J, the Walter M. Murphy Company crafted an unprecedented 140 bodies for the 481 examples built. Their catalog of bodies included a wide array of styles, from formal town cars to clear-vision sedans, the most popular and emblematic was the Convertible Coupe which accounted for over one-third of Murphy-bodied Duesenbergs. An innovative Murphy feature incorporated into just 25 of the Convertible Coupes was an articulated deck behind the passenger compartment, beneath which the convertible's top would stow completely into a well behind the seats, allowing it to be hidden and giving the bodywork a sleek, speedster-style profile

The first owner of this Duesenberg J Murphy Disappearing Top Roadster was Esther Fiske Hammond, granddaughter of James Madison Beebe of the Jordan Marsh department store chain. While living in Pasadena in late 1929, she commissioned this sporty body from her local coachbuilder, Walter M. Murphy. She specified that the body be fitted with dual rear-mounted spares instead of the heavier-looking dual side mounts that she felt interrupted the long lines of the coachwork. Only seven similar Duesenbergs were built with this configuration, including the famous Clark Gable and Gary Cooper SSJ 2-door Roadsters. In 1934, Esther sold the car to her neighbor, Marjorie 'Jorie' von Stresenreuter Butler, heiress of the Butler Paper Company, who sold it a year later to her chauffeur's son, in recognition of his loyalty, for just $500. From there, it passed through the hands of several collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts; notably, in 1938, it became what is believed to be John Troka's first Duesenberg, sparking his interest as a collector. Mr. Troka would own many Model J Duesenbergs in the coming decades. In the 1940s, during its time with Charles Allen of Wisconsin, 2369's engine was changed from J-351 to J-235.

Changing owners several times, the car was acquired in In 1974 by classic car dealer Leo Gephart. During his ownership, Gephart relocated the spare wheels to their conventional side-mounted location on the fenders. From there, the Duesenberg was briefly owned by additional collectors until 1979 when it was acquired by the Central Texas Automobile Museum **** Burdick), where it stayed until its present owner bought it in 2017. The car has now been completely restored for its debut at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The car is finished in a deep merlot color blended with a hint of black, has a black canvas top, and rides on Firestone blackwall tires. There are rare chromed 19-inch Buffalo wire wheels with full color-matched wheel covers. The interior is done in Italian, tanned to order, cream leather hides with black Wilton carpets, and hand-finished mahogany panels on the doors. The dashboard appears black at first glance but soon reveals a deep bronze-toned, engine-turned panel beneath the finish when in direct sunlight. The engine bay houses the mirror-like apple green engine block and cylinder head and highly polished alloy firewall, components, and hardware.

The car earned a perfect 100-point score at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the CCCA Trophy. The CCCA Trophy is an annual award given to the most significant Classic Car present on the field. Later that year, 2369 was awarded Best of Show at the Ironstone Concours d'Elegance in Murphys, California.