Automotive History Online

Steptember Feature

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan

Coachwork by the Murphy Body Company, Pasadena Ca.
265bhp, 420 cu. in. four valves per cylinder twin overhead camshaft inline eight-cylinder, three-speed manual transmission, front beam axle, live rear axle and vacuum-assisted four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 142.5"

The model J Duesenberg has long been regarded as the most outstanding example of design and engineering of the classic era. Introduced in 1929, trading was halted on the New York Stock exchange for the announcement. At $8,500 for the chassis alone, it was by far the most expensive car in America. With coachwork, the delivered price of many Duesenbergs approached $20,000, a staggering sum at a time when a typical new family car cost around $500.

Few would argue that the car’s features did not support its price. Indeed, the Model J’s specifications sound current today: double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, power hydraulic brakes, and 265hp in naturally aspirated form – or 325bhp when supercharged, as in the case of J527.

The new Duesenberg was tailor-made for the custom body industry. It had the power and stance to carry imposing coachwork, and the style and grace of the factory sheet metal was ideally suited for the execution of elegant custom coachwork. The Murphy body company of Pasadena, California is generally recognized as the most successful coachbuilder on the Duesenberg Model J chassis.

Associated initially with Packards, Murphy built bodies that suited the California tastes of the time. They were simple and elegant, with trim lines and an undeniable sporting character. Murphy bodies seemed all the more revolutionary when compared to their contemporaries from the east coast, who built heavier, more ornate designs.

The trademark of Murphy body design was the “clear vision” pillar. On the convertible sedan, the windshield pillars were designed to be as slim as possible, creating a sportier, more open appearance, while improving visibility for the driver. In fact, Murphy advertised that their windshield pillars were “narrower than the space between a man’s eyes,” a design they claimed eliminated blind spots. Perhaps the most popular of Murphy’s designs was the convertible sedan. Highly practical, it was ideally suited for almost any purpose. The convertible top made the car comfortable in the summer, while the four door configuration made it easy to accommodate two couples or a family. Although other companies offered convertible sedans, the genius of Murphy’s design was that it looked light and elegant, effectively concealing the heavy top mechanism and supporting pillars that made others look heavy, even ponderous. The Murphy convertible sedan offered here is one of the best-known examples of this popular style.

Our research was unable to confirm the identity of J262/2284’s original owner, though one historian’s notes list the first owner as a man named Budd. The car’s second owner was Rev. J. A. Hawkins, who also owned J361 at one time. In any event, Ernest S. Hennessey bought J262 on May 16, 1939. Joseph Van Blerck, a successful powerboat racer and engine builder was the next owner of J262. Van Blerck kept the car until 1952 before selling it to Dr. Doug Rucker of Richmond, Virginia via Duesenberg dealer Jim Hoe in December of that year. Rucker kept the car for five years before enlisting Hoe’s assistance in selling the car to Henry Amsler, a businessman in Clarion, Pennsylvania in August of 1957. When the senior Amsler passed away in 1974, J262 passed to his son, E. Wilson Amsler, who kept the car until September of 1981 when it was purchased by real estate investor Paul Lapidus of Great Neck, New York.

Although the car’s original color was grey, by this point it was red. Lapidus embarked on a comprehensive restoration, though in December of 1989 he decided to sell the car – partly restored – to Cedar Grove, New Jersey collector Sonny Abagnale, who owned a company that rented cars to the movie industry. Abagnale finished the restoration, changing the color to the black it now wears for use in a movie with Mick Jagger. - Source RM Auctions

 

Much of the material on this website is in the public domain and has no copyright attached to it. Original articles & Photo's appearing herein are subject to copyright. Please don't copy stuff from this site without asking; it may belong to someone! Material on this website is presented solely for historical research and educational purposes only. Any trademarks appearing on this site are the sole property of the registered owners. No endorsement by the trademark owners is to be construed, nor was any sought. The products, brand names, characters, related slogans and indicia are or may be claimed as trademarks of their respective owners. The use of such material falls under the Fair Use provisions of intellectual property laws.

If you enjoyed the site we ask that you check out our sponsors.

Contact Us      Home      American     Links

Copyright © 2005 - 2006 Randall Glover, All rights reserved.

All names photos and logos belong to their original owners.

If you enjoyed the site we ask that you check out our sponsors.