Duesenberg Model J Cabriolet Murphy
Dutch title Engine n° J-219 - Best of show at Pebble Beach Concours d'élégance 1981 - An important Automobile - Superb Condition - Well documented The Duesenberg Company produced high-end, luxury automobiles and racing cars from 1913 through 1937. It was created by the Duesenberg brothers, Fred and August, who formed the Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa with the intent to build sport and racing cars. Originally 'Düsenberg', the family had immigrated to the United States from Germany in the 1880's. Duesenberg's place in history was officially solidified in 1914 when Eddie Rickenbacker drove a Duesenberg to an astonishing 10th place finish at the Indianapolis 500. Many great racing names and WWI Aviators, such as Captain Eddie Rickenbacker (who also joined the Peugeot racing team at the end of 1914) raced in Duesenberg's. Duesenberg racing history was not just for the United States; in 1921, Jimmy Murphy drove a Duesenberg to victory at the French Grand Prix in LeMans. He was joined by teammates André Dubonnet the great French aviator and racecar driver along with Albert Guyot racecar driver and Louis Inghilbert. This victory designated Jimmy Milton the first American to win the French Grand Prix. It also recognized the Duesenberg as the first vehicle to start a Grand Prix with hydraulic brakes. Duesenberg later went on to win the Indianapolis 500, capturing victories in 1924, 1925, and 1927. Following the string of wins in racing, the factory was relocated from Indianapolis in 1927 to Auburn, Indiana. E.L. Cord, owner of Auburn Automobile, and other businesses, bought the company in 1926 mainly for the 2 brothers' engineering skills, their talent and the well established brand name, allowing him to produce a world class luxury automobile. Cord challenged Fred Duesenberg to design an automobile that would be the best in the world. Indeed, Cord wanted to build the biggest, fastest, and most expensive automobile ever made. He also visualized a large chassis able to compete with the likes of Hispano-Suiza, Isotta-Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce then the most powerful, and luxurious European automobiles of the era. It took Fred 27 months to design and unveil the spectacular Model J at the 1928 New York Auto Salon which also included a Disappearing Top roadster by Walter M. Murphy Company as one of the three automobiles shown. The Model J arrived with a 420 cubic inch straight-eight built by Lycoming according to Fred's design. Horsepower was advertised as 265bhp with its twin overhead camshafts, 32 valves, straight eight engines. Fitted with a three speed transmission on the 142.5 inch wheelbase chassis, the Model J realized outstanding performance. The top speed achieved at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was 116mph (187km/h) with 90mph (151km/h) attainable in second gear, making the new Duesenberg one of the fastest automobiles of its time. Each chassis was driven 100 miles at the Motor Speedway prior to factory delivery and then shipped to the customers preferred coachbuilder. Instruments were the most numerous yet seen on an automobile; the speedometer (reading to 150 mph), ammeter, water-temperature, oil-pressure gauges, plus tachometer, brake pressure gauge, stopwatch/clock, and altimeter/barometer. Warning lights reminded the owner to change engine oil, add chassis oil (the chassis lubricated itself every 75 miles) or fill the battery with water. Quickly becoming one of the most popular automobiles in the world, the Duesenberg was a status symbol for the elite. From the roaring twenties through most of the thirties, the Duesenberg Model J was the choice of movie stars, entrepreneurs, millionaires and royalty. Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Rudolph Valentino, HRH Duke of Windsor, Prince Nicholas of Romania, Queen Maria of Yugoslavia, and the Kings Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, Alfonso XIII of Spain along with noted Paris Duesenberg distributor Edmond Z. Sadovich all owned Duesenbergs. The Model J Duesenberg has long been regarded by automotive experts as one of the most outstanding examples of design and engineering during the Full Classic era. The Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California is recognized as the most successful coachbuilder on the Duesenberg Model J chassis, both because of their designs and superb craftsmanship. Around sixty examples of the convertible coupes were produced and it is believed that a very small numbers of non-disappearing top bodies were built. This correct Model J with its original non-disappearing top body, original chassis #2239 and original engine # J-219 was sold new in 1929 by the New York Duesenberg Agency for $14,500.00 to Mr. John R. MacKinney. A multi-millionaire and partner with Standard Oil's Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Sr. he had his own seat on the New York Stock Exchange and owned his own company also. In 1934, the car was sold by Hilton Motors dealership to Mr. H.P. Ammidown, of New York City and in 1936 was sold to Mr. Kaisley Blake, of Connecticut, whom at the time owned another Duesenberg. In 1954, J-219 was in the possession of a Mr. Clarence F. Roibichaud, of Connecticut and in 1955 J-219 was sold to Mr. Paul Graehling, of Illinois. Mr. Graehling owned an extensive collection of Classic cars and the Duesenberg was sent to the Clinton Car Parts Co. in Clinton, Iowa where a restoration was started by Mr. Sam Heend. In 1957 J-219 was sold to Davenport, Iowa residents Mr. Floyd Du Val and Mr. Ernest Paulus. Mr. Du Val being an experienced restoration manager completed the restoration that Sam Heend had started. Terry Radey of Ontario, Canada was J-219's next recorded owner. Mr. Radey acquired the car in 1977 and immediately commissioned a further restoration, this time to Concours d'Elegance standards. This restoration took three years to complete and was carried out by Mr. Harry Sherry, of Warsaw, Ontario. In 1980 J-219 won the Best in Show award at the ACD (Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg) meeting in Auburn, Indiana. The following year J-219 was judged Best in Show at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance receiving the highest award a Classic automobile can achieve. In 1991, J-219 was acquired by enthusiast, Mr. Bruce Meyer, of Beverly Hills, California, winner of the Meguiar's 'Person of the Year' award in 1999 and a founding member of The Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. During Mr. Meyer's ownership, the car was maintained by Duesenberg expert Mr. Randy Ema. J-219 subsequently came to Europe into the ownership of the famous and respected Belgian collector Mr. Bob Lalement and again once while in Europe won many more Concours events including People's Choice at the Luis Vuitton Classic in Paris, France in 2002; Best of Show at the Essen Motor Show, Germany in 2006; and Best of Show at the Antwerp Classic Show, Belgium in 2007. J-219 was acquired by the current owners, a Dutch collector in 2008 from Mr. Bob Lalement's estate. The Model J Duesenberg is the apex of the American Automotive effort in the 20th century. It is the finest example of a true Pre-war Classic; the mightiest of American automobiles and would be the centerpiece of any great automotive collection in the world.
Dutch title Engine n° J-219 - Best of show at Pebble Beach Concours d'élégance 1981 - An important Automobile - Superb Condition - Well documented The Duesenberg Company produced high-end, luxury automobiles and racing cars from 1913 through 1937. It was created by the Duesenberg brothers, Fred and August, who formed the Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa with the intent to build sport and racing cars. Originally 'Düsenberg', the family had immigrated to the United States from Germany in the 1880's. Duesenberg's place in history was officially solidified in 1914 when Eddie Rickenbacker drove a Duesenberg to an astonishing 10th place finish at the Indianapolis 500. Many great racing names and WWI Aviators, such as Captain Eddie Rickenbacker (who also joined the Peugeot racing team at the end of 1914) raced in Duesenberg's. Duesenberg racing history was not just for the United States; in 1921, Jimmy Murphy drove a Duesenberg to victory at the French Grand Prix in LeMans. He was joined by teammates André Dubonnet the great French aviator and racecar driver along with Albert Guyot racecar driver and Louis Inghilbert. This victory designated Jimmy Milton the first American to win the French Grand Prix. It also recognized the Duesenberg as the first vehicle to start a Grand Prix with hydraulic brakes. Duesenberg later went on to win the Indianapolis 500, capturing victories in 1924, 1925, and 1927. Following the string of wins in racing, the factory was relocated from Indianapolis in 1927 to Auburn, Indiana. E.L. Cord, owner of Auburn Automobile, and other businesses, bought the company in 1926 mainly for the 2 brothers' engineering skills, their talent and the well established brand name, allowing him to produce a world class luxury automobile. Cord challenged Fred Duesenberg to design an automobile that would be the best in the world. Indeed, Cord wanted to build the biggest, fastest, and most expensive automobile ever made. He also visualized a large chassis able to compete with the likes of Hispano-Suiza, Isotta-Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce then the most powerful, and luxurious European automobiles of the era. It took Fred 27 months to design and unveil the spectacular Model J at the 1928 New York Auto Salon which also included a Disappearing Top roadster by Walter M. Murphy Company as one of the three automobiles shown. The Model J arrived with a 420 cubic inch straight-eight built by Lycoming according to Fred's design. Horsepower was advertised as 265bhp with its twin overhead camshafts, 32 valves, straight eight engines. Fitted with a three speed transmission on the 142.5 inch wheelbase chassis, the Model J realized outstanding performance. The top speed achieved at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was 116mph (187km/h) with 90mph (151km/h) attainable in second gear, making the new Duesenberg one of the fastest automobiles of its time. Each chassis was driven 100 miles at the Motor Speedway prior to factory delivery and then shipped to the customers preferred coachbuilder. Instruments were the most numerous yet seen on an automobile; the speedometer (reading to 150 mph), ammeter, water-temperature, oil-pressure gauges, plus tachometer, brake pressure gauge, stopwatch/clock, and altimeter/barometer. Warning lights reminded the owner to change engine oil, add chassis oil (the chassis lubricated itself every 75 miles) or fill the battery with water. Quickly becoming one of the most popular automobiles in the world, the Duesenberg was a status symbol for the elite. From the roaring twenties through most of the thirties, the Duesenberg Model J was the choice of movie stars, entrepreneurs, millionaires and royalty. Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Rudolph Valentino, HRH Duke of Windsor, Prince Nicholas of Romania, Queen Maria of Yugoslavia, and the Kings Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, Alfonso XIII of Spain along with noted Paris Duesenberg distributor Edmond Z. Sadovich all owned Duesenbergs. The Model J Duesenberg has long been regarded by automotive experts as one of the most outstanding examples of design and engineering during the Full Classic era. The Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California is recognized as the most successful coachbuilder on the Duesenberg Model J chassis, both because of their designs and superb craftsmanship. Around sixty examples of the convertible coupes were produced and it is believed that a very small numbers of non-disappearing top bodies were built. This correct Model J with its original non-disappearing top body, original chassis #2239 and original engine # J-219 was sold new in 1929 by the New York Duesenberg Agency for $14,500.00 to Mr. John R. MacKinney. A multi-millionaire and partner with Standard Oil's Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Sr. he had his own seat on the New York Stock Exchange and owned his own company also. In 1934, the car was sold by Hilton Motors dealership to Mr. H.P. Ammidown, of New York City and in 1936 was sold to Mr. Kaisley Blake, of Connecticut, whom at the time owned another Duesenberg. In 1954, J-219 was in the possession of a Mr. Clarence F. Roibichaud, of Connecticut and in 1955 J-219 was sold to Mr. Paul Graehling, of Illinois. Mr. Graehling owned an extensive collection of Classic cars and the Duesenberg was sent to the Clinton Car Parts Co. in Clinton, Iowa where a restoration was started by Mr. Sam Heend. In 1957 J-219 was sold to Davenport, Iowa residents Mr. Floyd Du Val and Mr. Ernest Paulus. Mr. Du Val being an experienced restoration manager completed the restoration that Sam Heend had started. Terry Radey of Ontario, Canada was J-219's next recorded owner. Mr. Radey acquired the car in 1977 and immediately commissioned a further restoration, this time to Concours d'Elegance standards. This restoration took three years to complete and was carried out by Mr. Harry Sherry, of Warsaw, Ontario. In 1980 J-219 won the Best in Show award at the ACD (Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg) meeting in Auburn, Indiana. The following year J-219 was judged Best in Show at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance receiving the highest award a Classic automobile can achieve. In 1991, J-219 was acquired by enthusiast, Mr. Bruce Meyer, of Beverly Hills, California, winner of the Meguiar's 'Person of the Year' award in 1999 and a founding member of The Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. During Mr. Meyer's ownership, the car was maintained by Duesenberg expert Mr. Randy Ema. J-219 subsequently came to Europe into the ownership of the famous and respected Belgian collector Mr. Bob Lalement and again once while in Europe won many more Concours events including People's Choice at the Luis Vuitton Classic in Paris, France in 2002; Best of Show at the Essen Motor Show, Germany in 2006; and Best of Show at the Antwerp Classic Show, Belgium in 2007. J-219 was acquired by the current owners, a Dutch collector in 2008 from Mr. Bob Lalement's estate. The Model J Duesenberg is the apex of the American Automotive effort in the 20th century. It is the finest example of a true Pre-war Classic; the mightiest of American automobiles and would be the centerpiece of any great automotive collection in the world.