1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe Roadster

After E.L. Cord bought Duesenberg Motors in 1926, he decided that he wanted to build the ultimate motorcar. Known as the 'mightiest American motorcar,' the Duesenberg Model J was created to compete with high-end European marques such as Rolls-Royce and Hispano-Suiza. It debuted on December 1 at the New York Car Show of 1928, represented by a sweep-panel, dual-cowl phaeton, with coachwork by LeBaron. The luxurious and powerful Model J became a status symbol: Advertisements showed wealthy individuals with a simple caption: He - or she - drives a Duesenberg.

The 420 cubic-inch, DOHC, straight-eight engine was based on the Duesenberg brothers' successful racing engines of the 1920s and produced 265 horsepower. . The car was powered by a Lycoming-built straight-eight of Fred's design, with such innovations as twin overhead camshafts operating four valves per cylinder, true hemispherical combustion chambers, and an estimated 250 horsepower, more than double that of its competition. Its top speed was over 100 mph (it could achieve almost 90 mph in second gear). The rolling chassis of the Model J could be purchased for $8,500 and sent to a custom coachbuilder for a magnificent, one-of-a-kind automobile with prices sometimes rocketing high above the average American's yearly salary. In 1929 money, that was the equivalent of 50 Ford Model As, and in today's money, it's about a million dollars. Only 470 chassis and 480 engines were built between 1929 and 1936.

This example sports a striking convertible coupe body by the Walter M. Murphy Co. of Pasadena, California. It is one of only about 25 convertible coupes by Murphy with a standard, 'non-disappearing' top. It was originally owned by CBS executive H. Leslie Atlass of Chicago, Illinois, and can boast a string of other well-known owners. Its recent owners have had it expertly restored to its original condition.

This Duesenberg was delivered, as a 'sweep panel' dual-cowl phaeton by LeBaron, on July 29th of 1929 to H. Leslie Atlass. Mr. Atlass had a friend named Philip K. Wrigley who had a Model J with a Murphy convertible coupe J-121. The two men came to prefer the bodies of one another's automobiles and arranged to trade the coachwork between their two cars.

Ownership later changed to Bill Veeck Jr, also known as 'Short Shirt Bill.' He enjoyed his Duesenberg until the start of World War II, at which point it was traded on a Mercury. Subsequently, frost damage to the engine was repaired by Chicago specialist John Troka with the block and crankshaft of J-245; that car's firewall, 2253, was also installed at the same time.

In 1950, the car came into the care of Dave Farr of Hinsdale, Illinois who maintained the car for 13 years. Later long-term owners included Jack Siler of Ohio. In 2007, the car was purchased by Robert Perry of Birmingham, Alabama, who submitted for a full restoration. The completed car was shown at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In 2011, it won an Amelia Award at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

In 2016, the car was driven on the Duesenberg Tour in Northern Michigan. It is recognized by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club as a Category One Certified car, having been inspected and certified by the Club no fewer than three times over the years.