1931 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan

In 1921, Duesenberg became to first American car to win a European Grand Prix with its victory at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. They won the Indianapolis 500 in 1924, 1925, and 1927, all the while building a line of road-going passenger cars. After entrepreneur Errett Lobban (E.L.) Cord acquired Duesenberg into his growing automotive empire, he used the company's racing prowess to create the mightiest motor car to traverse the roadway. It was called the Duesenberg Model J and it was introduced in December 1928 at the New York International Auto Show.

At the heart of the Duesenberg was a 420 cubic-inch DOHC inline-8 cylinder engine breathing through a single Schebler EE-3 Downdraft carburetor and delivering 265 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. No other car manufacturer came close to that figure.

Many of the Model J Duesenbergs wore coachwork by Walter M. Murphy coachworks of Pasadena, California, popular due to their graceful elegance and pleasing bodylines.

This particular example wears Convertible Sedan coachwork by Murphy and is one of 32 with this body style. It rests atop the 142.5-inch wheelbase chassis and was the sixth car to receive Convertible Sedan coachwork by Murphy. Styling features include the small chromed-windshield frame and window surrounds, a slightly sloping windshield, and center-hinged doors.

This Duesenberg was delivered through John Blalock Motor Sales of San Francisco to its first owner, attorney Orman Smith. It is believed that the car resided in California into the 1950s before entering the care of Sylvester Rugg of Newark, Ohio. While in Mr. Rugg's care, the car received CCCA senior car no. 62. In 1967, it was purchased by Courtland Cross of New Hampshire, who later sold it to Tom Derro of Massachusetts. Mr. Derro treated the car to a comprehensive and authentic restoration by Byard Libbey of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The work took six years to complete, and when it emerged, it wore a two-tone shade of rose, the darker tone used for the fenders and trim. It was shown in April of 1990 at the CCCA Grand Classic in Boca Raton, Florida when judged in the senior division and received a 100-point score. A year later, it received the Chocolate Town Trophy at the AACA Eastern Meet in Pennsylvania. A CCA Premier First Place award followed in 1993.

David Lindsay of Manawa, Wisconsin, purchased the Model J in 1997 and displayed it at the 2001 ACD Club Annual Reunion in Auburn, Indiana, where it was the recipient of the Fred and August Duesenberg Award, recognizing the best Duesenberg at the event. This was 'The Year of the Duesenberg' with 15 other Duesenbergs participating in this event.

In 2005, it scored 99.5 points at the CCCA Grand Classic in Hickory Corners, Michigan. It returned to Auburn, Indiana, in 2010 for the ACD Club Annual Reunion, where it earned a senior emeritus First Place win.

It entered the care of its current owner in 2017. In 2019, it garnered the Best in Class award among Duesenbergs at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. It then successfully completed the eight-day, 750-mile CCCA New York Legends CARavan in the Hudson Valley region of New York.

In 2020, J-131 received extensive mechanical work by Cross Action Classics of Fenton, Michigan, including an engine rebuild utilizing Carrillo connecting rods and Arias pistons. It was cosmetically refreshed the following year with a new top and upholstery completed by Swann's Upholstering of New Oxford, Pennsylvania. A deep red tone of blackberry was selected for the leather upholstery and burgundy canvas was used for the convertible top, the top boot, and the trunk cover. The car currently rests atop of blackwall tires, coupled with new drop-center chromed wire wheels.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2023

The Duesenberg brothers, Fred and Augie, first entered the auto industry-making business with a car called the Mason, which gained regional fame by winning a number of races and hill climbs with Fred at the wheel. This model was made from 1929 through 1936.

The Model J arrived with a 420 cubic-inch straight-eight built by Lycoming to Fred's design. Horsepower was advertised as 265; this was mind-boggling for the time, and easily over twice the power of the industry's previous best, Chrysler.

The interiors were opulent but functional. Instruments were the most numerous yet seen in an automobile; the usual speedometer (calibrated to 150 mph), ammeter, and water-temperature and oil-pressure gauges, plus tachometer, brake pressure gauge, split-second stopwatch, and altimeter/barometer. Warning lights reminded the owner to add chassis oil (the chassis lubricated itself every 75 miles), change engine oil, or replenish battery water.

Model J's didn't weigh much over 5,200 pounds, which helped them do a staggering 89 mph in second gear and around 115 in high.

This car was first purchased at the 1931 Los Angeles new car show. It was reported to be the first four-door convertible sedan built by Murphy Company. It was restored in 1992, and the current owners have owned it since 1997.