1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan

This Murphy-bodied Sedan was built on Duesenberg's short wheelbase of 142.5 inches, identified by the dual-piece running-boards (in contrast to the three-piece boards of the longer 153.5-inch wheelbase).

The original owner of this Duesie was Rowland and Rich Wooley - a Hollywood attorney who represented Mary Astor, Olivia De Havilland, and Lionel and John Barrymore, among others. He also represented Lydia Grey when she was awarded what, at the time, was the largest divorce settlement in American history - $825,000 - from ex-husband Charlie Chaplin. Speculation suggests that his legal fees funded the purchase of this car. In 1935, Mrs. Harriet Moffat of Upland, California purchased the Duesenberg and drove cross-country to her son's college graduation in Troy, New York. She drove the car back to California....with her son's roommate! Five years later, the car was purchased by screenwriter and novelist Hollister Noble. All subsequent owners are known and documented; typical of most Duesenbergs.

Once displayed at the prestigious Louwman Museum in Holland, this sedan features the iconic external exhaust pipes that signal its substantial straight-8 engine.

Chassis 2225 is equipped with motor J-355 and wears a Convertible Sedan coachwork by Murphy. The wheelbase measures 142.5 inches and the 420 CID DOHC engine offers 265 horsepower.

The Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California employed legendary designers such as Frank Hershey and Philip Ogden Wright. They were Duesenberg's preferred coachbuilder and bodied more Model Js than any other firm, dressing approximately 140 cars. Their designs featured iconic raked front screens with narrow chrome posts which were uniquely low and long for the time.

The early history of 2225 is not fully known. At some point, the original motor for this car - J-204 - was replaced by the motor now found under its bonnet. Engine J-204 was then fitted to Model J chassis 2374.

Much of this vehicle's life has been spent in one of Europe's most prestigious automobile museums. In 2010 it received some necessary attention, including the trimming of a new leather interior in a natural saddle shade. The coachwork was painted red to contrast the black fenders. There are chrome wheels, exterior exhaust pipes, and a tan convertible top. Period options include Pilot-Rays, dual chrome-wrapped side mounts, and a black metal luggage trunk.

In 2011 the museum decided to sell the vehicle so it was sent to the US to be sold. It briefly resided in a Los Angeles collection where it saw minor maintenance, including the fitting of six new tires.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $550,000 - $700,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $522,500 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2014

The Duesenberg Model J was unveiled to the world at the 1928 New York Auto Salon. The engine was a twin-cam straight-eight with a very large crankshaft, with sealed cartridges continuing mercury to eliminate vibrations. There was a 'timing box' located on the side of the engine that contained trains of precision gearing. These would automatically operate lights on the instrument panel to warn the driver when an oil change was necessary, and when to service the battery. After every 75 miles, the timing box opened a spring-loaded valve which forced oil onto all chassis lubrication points. During operation, lights would illuminate on the driver's instrumentation panel informing the driver the lubrication was in process.

The Lycoming-built engine displaced 6876cc, had 32-valves, and produced 265 horsepower in naturally aspirated form. The car was able to achieve 90 mph in second gear, with top speed being achieved at about 110 mph in high gear. 15-inch hydraulically-operated drum brakes on all four corners kept the car in the driver's control.

Every Duesenberg Model J constructed was thoroughly tested for 500 miles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before being sent to the coachbuilder. In June of 1929, they opened an in-house body-design department to create new body styles for individual clients and work as a liaise between the coachbuilders and the factory. Gordon Buehrig headed this department from 1929 through 1933. Buehrig skill would later be used on the Cord 810/812.

This Murphy Convertible Sedan is chassis number 2225 and rests on a short (142.5-inch) wheelbase. The original engine was J-204 which was later replaced by engine J-355. Engine J-204 was later installed in chassis #2374, the ex-Wanger chassis. Chassis 2374 made an appearance in the James Dean movie Giant.

The original owner of this Duesenberg is believed to have been Rowland Rich Woolley, a Hollywood attorney who represented Mary Astor, Olivia DeHavilland and Lionel and John Barrymore, among others. Mr. Woolley also represented Lydia Grey when, up to that time, she was awarded the largest divorce settlement in American history, from ex-husband Charlie Chaplin. Speculation suggests that his legal fees funded the purchase of this car.

Murphy bodied more Model J Duesenbergs than any other coachbuilder. Their craft was applied to around 140 examples. The staff of the Murphy Company included such greats as Franklin Q. Hershey and Philip Ogden Wright.

This car was a long-term static display in a European automobile museum. Its recent years have been spent in Southern California. It features external exhaust pipes which were optional at the time and twin side mounts. It is painted black with a tan top.

In 2007 the car was brought to the Bonhams Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club auction. The car was estimated to sell for $850,000 - $950,000. As the gavel fell for the final time, the lot was unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2018