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1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe Roadster

  • Coachwork by Murphy
  • Chassis Number: 2168
  • Engine Number: J-147
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.

2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,400,000-USD $1,700,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,430,000

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Duesenberg Model J Murphy

(Data based on Model Year 1929 sales)
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2265
Sold for USD$3,305,000
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan by Murphy
Chassis#: 2132
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2165
Sold for USD$2,365,000
  2022 Mecum : Glendale
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J 'Butterfly' Dual-Cowl Phaeton by Murphy
Chassis#: 2169
Sold for USD$3,305,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2245
Sold for USD$2,365,000
  2021 Mecum : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Torpedo by Murphy
Chassis#: 2199
Sold for USD$5,725,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2168
Sold for USD$1,430,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy
Chassis#: J259
Sold for USD$880,000
  2017 RM Sothebys : Santa Monica
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2551
Sold for USD$1,540,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Motor City
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Chassis#: 2199
Sold for USD$3,000,000
  2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg J Convertible Coupe, Rumbleseat
Sold for USD$2,530,000
  2015 Morphy Auctions : Premier Automobile Sale
 
1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2134
Sold for USD$2,365,000
  2013 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual-Cowl Phaeton in the style of Murphy
Chassis#: 2201
Sold for USD$682,000
  2013 RM Auctions - St John's
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 DUESENBERG MODEL J CABRIOLET MURPHY
Sold for USD$1,319,888
  2013 ARTCURIAL MOTORCARS À RÉTROMOBILE
 
1929 DUESENBERG J MURPHY BERLINE CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 2307
Sold for USD$725,000
  2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan by Walter M. Murphy Co.
Chassis#: 2163
Sold for USD$792,000
  2012 RM Auctions - Hershey, PA
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe
Chassis#: 2134
Sold for USD$1,897,500
  2012 RM Auctions - Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: 2225
Sold for USD$522,500
  2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy Inc
Chassis#: 2307
Sold for USD$704,000
  2011 RM Auctions - Concours d'Elegance at St. Johns
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Clear Vision Sedan
Chassis#: 2209 / J187
Sold for USD$742,500
  2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
 

Duesenberg Model J Murphys That Failed To Sell At Auction

1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1929 Duesenberg Model J Clear-Vision Sedan by Murphy22092018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island $750,000$1,000,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan21942014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours $1,350,000$1,750,000
1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy 2007 Bonhams, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia $850,000$950,000
1929 DUESENBERG MURPHY ROADSTER 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona$625,000  

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1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy

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