1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy SWB Convertible Coupe

This 1929 Duesenberg Model J wears a Coupe body which was given to it by Walter M Murphy Company of Pasadena, CA. It is chassis number 2165 and is powered by engine J142. Its ACD Category one Certification Number is D-125. There is a known history since new which began with Jarvis Hunt Jr. of Chicago, its first caretaker. The second owner was also an individual from Chicago, a Mr. Joe Neidlinger who took possession of the car in January 1933. William E. Schmidt became its next owner sometime during the mid-1930s. By 1936, it was owned by Eddie Glatt of Chicago-based Edwards Finance Company fame.

Neidlinger, for a second time, purchased the car but kept it only for a short time, selling it to Mr. Lacey of Oak Park, Illinois. The car was traded to Duesenberg dealer John Troka against the purchase of SJ515. Dr. J. Phister purchased the car in 1938. Soon after, Troka re-purchased the car, only to sell it to Tom L. Grace a short time later. Mr. Grace would be the cars first long-term owner, keeping it for nearly 12 years before selling it to Louis A. Ostendorf of Berwyn, Illinois.

From this point in history onwards, the car was owned by Troka, Nathan R. Swift, John Herriott, James Thorton (who kept it for 11 years), and Russel Kenerson (purchased on October 28th of 1968). Kenerson treated the car to its first major concours quality restoration in the early 1970s. For his efforts, the car was awarded a Classic Car Club of America National First Place award in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1974.

The ownership history continued with E. B Jeffries of Carefree, Arizona, Blackhawk Collection, and then to Tenny Natkin of Riverwood, Illinois. Natkin had the car repainted and its interior refurbished. In 1982, the car was awarded a National First Place prize by the Antique Automobile Club of America. It was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours and was later sold to Jack Denlinger and then to the Imperial Palace collection of Duesenbergs in July of 1990.

J142 was purchased by Charles Cawley in 1999. In September of 2000, the car was sold at RM's New York Auto Salon and Auction to Dale Walksler of Maggie Valley, North Carolina. While in his care, the engine was rebuilt.

This car includes its original TwiLite headlights, Pilot Ray driving lights, scripted sidelamps, chrome wire wheels, and a rear-mounted trunk.

In 2008, the car was again offered for sale by RM Auctions at their 'Sport & Classic Cars of Monterey.' It had an estimated value of $1,400,000 - $1,800,000 and was sold for $1,413,500 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009