DUESENBERG

What follows is a humble attempt to create an accurate visual record of all Duesenberg J, JN, and SJ motorcars. About two thirds of these Duesenbergs have been well documented, so that the chassis and engine numbers of these cars are not in dispute. The other third have fallen into the realm of mystery. Photographs exist of cars that are no more, or may be out there somewhere, but their chassis and engine numbers remain illusive. I’ve made educated guesses, whenever possible, to match numbers with images. If any of my speculations are wrong, I’m eager to be corrected. I’ve also strived to include as many interior shots as possible. Endless photos of the famous Duesenberg dash are easy to come by, suggesting, absurdly, that most viewers have never seen what may be the most famous dashboard in the world. It frustrates me that it’s hard to find images of rear compartments, which were “where the action was,” back in the thirties. Luxury cars in those days were primarily intended to be chauffeur driven, and the expensive fabrics, exotic woods, built-in bars, humidors, storage compartments and vanities were provided for those who rode in back.

Many Duesenbergs were rebodied, either by the factory, or by restorers. In listing these cars, I show images, if possible, of the first body placed on the chassis, followed by those that replaced it. Earlier restorations give way to increasing recent restorations finally revealing how the car appears today. Complicating matters is the seemingly endless game of “Musical Dueseys” where bodies, engines, and occasionally chassis were swapped by coachbuilders and owners, sometimes with the assistance of the factory. When this happens, an image of the same car will appear in different locations. The following color code may clarify matters, (or just add to the confusion.)

Scrolling to the bottom of this long page will reveal cars catagorized by their various body styles.

TRUE BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – factory colors may be altered

TRUEST BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – fine unrestored cars, or cars where one or all components are brought back to match the way they left the factory, often after decades of woeful modifications

TRAGIC BLACK: Lost or destroyed Chassis – Lost or destroyed Body – Lost or destroyed Engine

FACTORY GREEN: Factory Replaced Chassis – Factory/Coachbuilder Replaced Body – Factory Replaced Engine

ARROGANT RED: Moved Original Body – Moved Original Engine

TOO MUCH MONEY MAGENTA: Coachbuilder Modified Original Body – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Chassis – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Engine

WHY NOT YELLOW: Owner Modified Body – Owner Modified Chassis – Owner Modified Engine (the majority of these involve adding superchargers or outside exhaust pipes to cars that weren’t sold with them)

DEMENTED ORANGE: Reproduction Body/Flight Of Fancy Body – Owner Generated

INDEX OF J NUMBERS

Click on each page to enlarge. Unclick, or simply continue scrolling to the photo section to locate images of cars, which are listed by chassis number.

The Prototype

The 1927 Model Y was the prototype for the J.

2125 J-101

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

1929

2126 J-104

Holbrook 5 Passenger Sedan

Short

1928

According to Fred Roe, this Holbrook Sedan was eventually moved to chassis 2152. A Rollston Convertible Victoria, 1931, resides on chassis 2126 today.

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/7738,14238/1931-duesenberg-model-j.aspx

2127 J-103

Holbrook Limousine

Long

1929

Now a LeBaron Convertible Berline

This Holbrook Limousine was shown at West Coast Salons, and eventually bought by wealthy playboy William C. “Billy” Van Horne and shipped to Canada. It didn’t last long before being rebodied as a Lebaron Convertible Berline. More information on the scandalous Billy Van Horne, and other Duesenbergs, can be found on Tim Blankenship’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/533193786863911/user/724095308/

What is a Berline? In simplest terms, it’s a sedan with a division window between the front and rear compartments. Take a convertible sedan, add the dividing window, and you’ve got a Convertible Berline. Many coachbuilders muddied the waters by adding opera seats, or occasional seats, as seen here. These seats, as opposed to auxiliary seats found in limousines, have skimpy, fold out backs or no backs at all. They also face sideways or backwards, where auxiliary seats face forward.

2128 J-102

Holbrook All-Weather Cabriolet

Long

1929

A show car that saw its final curtain – only to be reincarnated into another show car.

Beginning life on chassis 2276, this famous Judkins Limousine, seen in many films, was removed to make room for a Fran Roxas Torpedo Phaeton. Time passed and it was moved to 2128 where it now resides. A commendable restoration.

This is a textbook example of a limousine, which is not just any big, black car. A limousine has five distinguishing characteristics: a divider window between the front and rear compartments, a leather trimmed chauffeur’s compartment, (ninety-dive percent of the time, anyway,) auxiliary seats, a window behind the rear door, and a long wheelbase. Auxiliary seats differ from opera seats, or occasional seats, by being large and commodious with fold out backrests, and by facing forward. An exception would be the Lehman-Peterson Lincoln limousines from the sixties, which juggled the rear door and rear window layout, and had the auxiliary seats facing backwards. In proper form, however, these seats were commodious and relatively comfortable.

2129 J-109

Derham Sedan (speculative image)

Short

1929

2130 J-106

Murphy Convertible Coupe (speculative image)

Short

1929

2131 J-107

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Long

1934

2132 J-151

Murphy V-Windshield Sedan

Short

1929

2133 J-111

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton sweep panel

Short

1929

Originally equipped, it would seem, with the first style bumper.

2134 J-108

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

This Duesenberg appeared in “The Gay Divorcee,” from 1934. It’s rumored to have been owned by Ginger Rogers, though she was not the original purchaser. 2134 was delivered with reptile grained leather, a choice that was rejected when the car was recently restored.

2135 J-113

Holbrook Cabriolet

Long

1930

Seen in the 1933 American movies “Topaze,” and “Broadway To Hollywood,” as well as the 1934 movie “Chained” with Clark Gable and Joan Crawford.

2135 Rebodied as a Northport Skiff

2136 J-116

Derham Phaeton

Short

2136 is a famous car, appearing in the Elvis Presley movie “Spinout,” as well as Blake Edward’s “Sunset.” Beginning life as a dual cowl phaeton, 2136′s rear section was modified in the 1930’s with the second cowl removed, (a strange choice,) and a new windscreen placed close to the back of the front seat. It’s speculated that an early owner wished to duplicate the look of the celebrated Derham Tourster.

2137 J-114

Derham Town Car

Short

1930

2138 J-115

Holbrook All Weather Cabriolet

Long

1929

2139 J-146

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

2140 J-112

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

A car with unique bumpers.

https://www.mbgrand600.com/car/1929-duesenberg-model-j-convertible-coupe-j-112-by-murphy/

2141 J-417

Locke Berline

Long

1929

Adler says Judkins Limousine, but Randy Ema says Locke, which gets my vote. More confusing J-417 was also supposedly installed in 2441, another lost car with a similar coachwork description. Is this confusion due to a decades old typo?

2142 J-Unknown

Holbrook Limousine (Likely.)

Long

There is a possiblity that this car was powered by J-117

2143 J-118

This Derham Sedan

Short

Fell into San Pedro Channel. It was rebodied by Bohman and Schwartz.

2144 J-119

Derham Sedan

Short

1929

The first artist’s sketch roughly depicts what the car looked like when it was delivered in 1929. In 1934, the owner requested that his five year old sedan be modernized and an SJ engine installed – the result was the black and white photo from 1935, with the Derham body now on a new chassis. along with a new engine. 2144 wasn’t vacant for long, accepting a Murphy Convertible Coupe body. Many years later, the Convertible Coupe, and engine J-119 were moved to chassis 2551. Simultaneously, the Derham Sedan was moved back to its original Chassis 2144, and is now powered by J-310, (unsupercharged.).

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auct ions/af12/auburn-fall/lots/r312-1935-duesenberg-model-j/595891 https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/sj16/motor-city/lots/r124-1929-duesenberg-model-j-disappearing-top-convertible-coupe-by-murphy/238712

2145 J-125

Judkins Coupe (likely)

Short

Now a Derham Convertible Sedan

1930

The Derham Convertible Sedan body from 2536, (third photo,) was removed and modified to become the basis for this reimagined Convertible Sedan.

2146 J-123

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1929

2147 J-170

Floyd Derham Phaeton

Long

2148 J-124

Derham Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

1929

A near twin to 2136 (Elvis Presley)

2149 J-126

LeBaron Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton

Short

1929

2150

No Data

2151 J-129

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel

Short

1929

The first shots can be found on Straight Eight LLC, which is a great source of accurate information. https://www.instagram.com/straight_eight_llc/

2152 J-127

Holbrook Sedan

Short

This is an educated guess regarding chassis and engine numbers. Holbrook only made three sedans for Duesenberg. The first Holbrook Sedan in this series of photos very likely sat on 2152 for a short while. It has a severely vertical windshield, and transported Fred Duesenberg seen here chatting about his revolutionary engine. It has very old-fashioned styling, and no “Duesenbird” ornament, not to mention a 1930 license plate. It’s ironic that it has a later chassis number, yet looks more antiquated than the Holbrook sedan that may have started life on 2126, and which now occupies 2152.

A LeBaron Convertible Sedan was the second car to take over this chassis before being moved to 2350, J-338. Several sources suggest that the now silver Holbrook Sedan still occupies chassis 2350, but I think it’s more likely that the LeBaron Convertible Sedan has laid claim to it. Like Roe, the immensely useful Duesenberg datasheet, also states that the second Holbrook Sedan, shown here, came from chassis 2126.

https://duesey186.com/Datasheets/Model_J_Index/frm2152.htm

2153 J-131

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1931

2154 J-132

Derham Sedan (speculative image)

Short

The Sedan had a Beverly style windshield according to Adler. Now a Murphy Convertible Coupe

It’s possible that this Murphy Body was taken from 2175.

2155 J-128

LeBaron Phaeton (speculative image)

Short

2156 J-130

Derham Seven Passenger Limousine

Long

2157 J-133 then J-417

Fleetwood Roadster

Short

1929

This Duesenberg began life as a Fleetwood Roadster. The original owner modified it relentlessly, in an attempt to give it a modern look. Finally, a more recent owner took great strides to approximate the car’s original appearance, essentially retro-modifying the old body.

2158 SJ-292

LeBaron Dual-Cowl Phaeton

Short

Supercharged

1929

2159 J-134

LeBaron Convertible Sedan

Short

1930

Now a Walton Speedster

More speculation on my part. 2159 is listed as a Lebaron Convertible Sedan on the short wheelbase – there were only two of these and the other body apparently came from a Chrysler Imperial. The LeBaron body on 2159 was transferred to 2152, as if by immaculate conception, according to some accounts – I’m guessing that the body resided briefly on 2159 before the transfer.

2160 J-136

Murphish Roadster

Long

This image is higly speculative. It’s thought to be a Murphy body, then again, it may not be. Either way, it appears to be a very early body, (with a strange windshield,) and it appeared in a couple of films: “Woman Wanted,” and “The Garden Murder Case.”

2161 J-138

Holbrook Sedan

Short

A guess, but this is a likely shot of 2161. Hollbrook produced two limousines and three sedans. The limousines and one of the sedans had slanted windshields. 2152, in its first incarnation, had a severely vertical windshield and trim similar to this car – it also had Fred Duesenberg standing beside it. 2152 was not black, so this stands a decent chance of being 2161. There is the possibility that I have it backwards and this photo is actually of the first incarnation of 2152.

2162 J-137

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Now a Judkins-Fixed-Top-Coupe

1932

2163 J-139

Murphy Sport Sedan

Short

1929

2164 J-141

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Robert Scripps

2165 J-142

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

2166 J-140

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1929

2167 J-143

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Owned by gangster Jake The Barber

1930

https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1319951/1932-duesenberg-model-j-for-sale-in-amelia-island-florida-32034

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/8482,8968/1930-duesenberg-model-j-murphy.aspx

2168 J-147

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Before the body swap with chewing gum magnate Philip K. Wrigley

This Murphy-Convertible-Coupe was the result of a swap with Wrigley

1929

2169 J-145

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Now a Murphy ‘Butterfly’ Dual Cowl Phaeton

with J-403

2170 J-152

LeBaron Convertible Sedan

Long

Body taken from a Packard

2171 J-154

Murphy Convertible Victoria

Long

2172 J-155

Judkins Limousine (speculative images)

Long

2173 J-148

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel

Short

Shown with German actress Annemarie Korff. There’s a strong likelihood that the first five shots are of 2173. Note the white circle on the right rear fender, which appears to have a “D” in the center for “Deutschland.” Notice, also, the European-style turn indicators just below the front windscreen. 2173 was shortened and rebodied in 1935 with a Convertible Coupe body by Graber, a Swiss Coachbuilder. A few years later it got the Kellner, (French,) Scaphandrier body, which still adorns it. A Continental Car for much if its life.

2174 J-149

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel

Short

1929

2175 J-144

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

The first image is speculative. The supercharged version utilizes elements of Chassis 2157, and body parts from 2224. Engine J-467 is now utilized. Many parts had to be remade and an interesting article on this car’s recreation can be seen by clicking on the link.

https://classicandsportscar.com/features/keeping-faith-restoring-duesenberg-model-sj

2176 J-150

Unknown Limousine

(more likely Berline)

Short

Becoming a Murphy Convertible Sedan. The chassis length is not recorded, but a short wheelbase seems more likely because the final incarnation of this Duesenberg is a Derham Convertible Coupe.

2177 J-121

Murphy-Convertible-Coupe

Short

Before the swap with Wrigley

1929

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton after the body swap with Wrigley

1929

Duesenberg Motors on Instagram has fine pictures and plenty of interesting information on this and other Duesenbergs.

https://www.instagram.com/duesenberg_motors/

2178 J-153

Murphy Convertible Sedan (possibly)

Short

A desirable car that came to a bad end.

2179

A Mystery Car

2180 J-158

Rollston Town Car

Long

Now a Strother MacMinn fantasy

2181 J-160

Rollston Town Car

Long

Three Window

1931

2182

Mystery Car

2183 J-162

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Ordered by George Whittell

1929

George WhitelI, honary fire marshall and World War I veteran, bought more new Duesenbergs than anyone else, six in total. have some tales to tell about George Whittell, which should be taken with a grain of salt. I grew up in Whittell’s neighborhood, and there, as a teenager, I delivered groceries so that I could earn enough to buy a 1936 Lincoln. At one home, a few mansions down from Whittell’s, I encountered a gentleman who used to work as a handyman for Whittell. He told me that Whittell clockeuisance to pay off gawkers who occasionally got swatted by the temperamental beast. Several lions served as Whittell’s security force, allowed to roam free on his property at night – note the photo taken of the lion house. Currently it looks like a garage, but up until twenty years ago, or so, I recall that instead of wooden doors iron bars stood in place so that the lions could be seen from the road during the day – assumingly to discourage burglars. The ornamental crosses, I assume, are a macabre tip of the hat to Christians who were fed to the lions back in the times of ancient Rome. An elephant was kept in the swimming pool because, well, why not? Eventually, the handyman’s tales turned dark. He told me that there was an occasion when Whittell directed him to clean out the lion cage. Once inside, Whittell released one of the lions, and became enraged when it declined to attack. More disturbing was a tale regarding his Filipino servants. Whittell had a big captain’s chair set up on a veranda overlooking a vast, manicured lawn. He’d ring a bell, and the servants were required to come running in order to serve him. One day he armed himself with a shotgun, rang the bell, and shot at them all as they hurried across his lawn. Whittell was a crack shot and he didn’t kill anyone, just wounded a few, then paid them all ten thousand dollars not to talk about it. True? Who knows, maybe the handyman had a grudge and made it all up. On the other hand, a friend whose family, (also original Duesenberg owners,) had a house on Lake Tahoe near Whittell’s told a story that adds some credence to what the handyman had to say. When he was young this friend said that it was fun for him and his buddies to take a speedboat out to Whittell’s, roar around, and wait for his security force to come out and shoot at them. Things were definitely different back then. I was also told that Whittell timed the Fishtail Speedster at 133 m.p.h. on the old Bayshore Highway. Apparently, this was the lion’s favorite car, but Whittell stopped driving it because it became too much of a nuisance paying off gawkers who got swatted. Times have certainly changed.

2184

Mystery Car

2185 J-156

Faux LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton replacing what was originally a LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel

1929

2186 J-165

Murphy-Convertible Coupe

Short

1932

2187 J-164

Derham Sedan

Short

1929

2188 J-166

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Another Murphy Convertible Coupe, which may or may not be 2188, but which is too enjoyable not to include. The woman shown is the wife of boxer Joe Louis.

2189 J-168

Derham Sedan (speculative image)

Short

Now a LeBaron Special Phaeton.

Once owned by Jack Passey

1931

The ad shows this car’s original colors: Tan and Auburn Brown with Nile Green striping, brake drums and leather trim.

2190 J-159

Barker Sedanca DeVille

Long

1929

Here we go again, a Sedanca DeVille translates as a Town Sedan. A Coupe DeVille translates as a Town Coupe. As with Limousines, the difference has to do with jump seats – a Sedanca DeVille has them, a Coupe DeVille does not. The Europeans were purer in this sense; most Coupe DeVilles from across the pond had no jump seats in any form whatsoever.

2191 J-167

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2192 J-169

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1929

2193 J-171

Derham Sedan (Likely)

Short

1930

2194 J-173

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1929

The interior has been redesigned for some reason.

https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1929-duesenberg-model-j-convertible-sedan-1/?sortBy=ENDING_SOONEST&pageNumber=10

2195 J-174

Weymann St Cloud Sedan (possibly)

Short

2196 J-175

Murphy Dual Cowl phaeton

Short

2197 J-177

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Wrecked. J-177, minus bell housing, winds up in 2211.

2198 J-179

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

2199 J-178

Murphy Torpedo Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

A fine example of a single car undergoing multiple high quality restorations. Happily, the most recent restoration returns this motorcar to its factory new appearance with correct colors and trims.

TRUE BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – factory colors may be altered

TRUEST BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – fine unrestored cars, or one or all components brought back to match the way they left the factory, often after decades of woeful modifications

TRAGIC BLACK: Lost or destroyed Chassis – Lost or destroyed Body – Lost or destroyed Engine

FACTORY GREEN: Factory Replaced Chassis – Factory/Coachbuilder Replaced Body – Factory Replaced Engine

ARROGANT RED: Owner moved Original Body – Owner moved Original Engine

TOO MUCH MONEY MAGENTA: Coachbuilder Modified Original Body – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Chassis – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Engine

DEMENTED ORANGE: Reproduction Body/Flight Of Fancy Body – Owner Generated

2200 J-181

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

J-483 later

2201 J-183

Derham Town Car

Long

Eventually becoming a Faux Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton

A fabulous motorcar, which met a sad fate.

https://arizonaccca.org/duesenberg-j-183/

2202 J-180

Willoughby Sedan (speculative image)

Long

2203 J-105

Derham 6 Passenger Sedan (speculative images)

Short

J-105 eventually put into Stutz chassis

2204 J-184

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2205 J-185

Willoughby Berline

Long

Now a LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

2206 J-182

LeBaron-Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel

1932

Owned by boxing-Champ Max Baer

2207 J-188

Murphy Convertible Sedan (speculative image)

Short

Now a LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Sweep Panel

2208 J-186

Kirchhoff Convertible Sedan

Short

Originally with Weyman Leatherette Stutz body

1930

2209 J-187

Murphy Clear Vision Sedan

Short

2210 J-189

Weymann Sedan

Short

Replaced in 1933 with a LaGrande Sedan

2211 J-190 now J-177

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1930

Demo car. J-190 bell housing kept and J-177 installed.

2212 J-192

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

2213 J-194

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

2214 J-193

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

2215 J-191

Hibbard&Darrin Convertible Cabriolet (speculative image)

Long

1930

Hibbard&Darrin Duesenbergs are difficult to track down; not all of them have recorded chassis or J numbers, and there’s confusion as to how many were made, though 12 cars is the consensus amongst experts. Complicating matters, the same car often received a repaint or two when new, along with minor detail changes. For a long time, I thought that this was yet another shot of 2216, but something didn’t seem right. To begin with, this car was recorded as being blue with gray trim, whereas 2216 was repainted in almond green with light gray trim. This car has a different trunk than 2216, and though trunks can be switched, windshield wipers were not tampered with until later in life. A photo of this car, which appears to be from the late twenties, shows two windshield wipers, a novelty for Hibbard&Darrin Duesenbergs. 2216 didn’t receive two wipers until around 1934, when it was also accessorized with new style running boards, European style headlights, and a “Duesenbird” ornament. It also received yet another repaint and shipped to New York, making it that more difficult to properly identify. There is no record of chassis 2015, or of J-191, but since they seem to have been manufactured around the same time, it seems quite possible that they belong together.

2216 J-195

Hibbard&Darrin Convertible Sedan

Long

1930

Originally painted black. When the color failed to achieve the desired results 2216 was repainted in lighter tones. Notice that the color may change but the license number remains the same. Around 1934 it was painted in black again and shipped to New York with new style running boards, European style headlights, dual windshield wipers and a “Duesenbird” radiator ornament.

2217 J-197

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

1929

Wrecked after two weeks – body salvaged and moved to 2292 J-270 Short.

J-197 went on to power a Faux Derham Tourster by Billings. The fate of chassis 2217 is unknown.

2218 J-199

Derham Convertible Coupe

Short

https://www.instagram.com/mopar27/

2219 J-201

LeTourneur et Marchand Faux-Cabriolet

Short

1930

https://www.coachbuild.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=706&sid=e5785117febcaedd7f9eaed2323a01d2

2220 J-196

Weymann Sedan

Short

Metal body, right hand drive.

2221 J-198

Murphy Torpedo Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

The first photos appear to be of a Convertible Coupe – but look again. The section behind the front seat extends horizontally in a straight line, then abruptly curves; and the windshield is dramatically raked. Clearly an early modification.

2222 J-202

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1929

Right Hand Drive

2223 J-200

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2224 J-203

Murphy Convertible Coupe (speculative images)

Short

2225 J-355

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7793-1929-duesenberg-j-murphy-convertible-sedan/

2226 J-206

Murphy Convertible Sedan Richard Arlen (speculative images)

Short

Rebodied as a Faux Derham Tourster

Concept Cars has this Billings Tourster listed as J-206, which may be correct. However it’s unlikely to be on chassis 2226, which is short – Derham Toursters, even reproductions, are mounted on the long chassis. which means that the Tourster’s current chassis number is unknown.

2227 J-207

Derham Arlington Sedan

Short

1930

Now a Boattail-Speedster

2228 J-208

Murphy Convertible-Sedan

Short

2229 J-205

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2230 J-210

Murphy Convertible Sedan (speculative image)

Long

1929

2231 J-211

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

(The first shot has a reasonable possibility as being J-211, a factory supercharged engine)

2232 J-209

Murphy Convertible Berline

A wonderful picture of “Black Pittsburgh entrepreneur, leader. and numbers racketeer William “Woogie” Harris with his son William III, out on a swimming expedition in the family Duesenberg, around 1934-36. Photos are by his brother Charles “Teenie” Harris, who was a photo journalist for the Pittsburgh Courier, one of the largest African-American newspaper of the time.” Courtesy of Tim Blankenship.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/533193786863911/user/724095308/

https://allevents.in/auburn/duesenberg-j-209-and-the-race-to-preserve-pittsburgh%E2%80%99s-black-history-landmark/200027463982609#google_vignette

2233 J-213

Murphy Clear Vision Sedan with quarter windows and steerable headlights (likely)

Short

1930

No Steerable headlights, (yet) but this Clear Vision Sedan has a unique luggage rack, no chrome trim on the rear fenders, and no cowl lights, suggesting a very early car. Also, it seems odd that Murphy would take photos of an unfinished car, so this is probably the way it was delivered. Factory photos of the other Clear Vision Sedans, (all of which survive,) differ in these details, so I conclude that this is a lost car. However, the last shot was taken in 1956, so maybe it’s still out there somewhere. Two of these shots, and many others come from the archives of The Auburn Cord and Duesenberg Museum; a treasure trove of photos, though not always accurately identified.

https://automobilemuseum.pastperfectonline.com/

2234 J-212

Derham Sedan

Short

1931

Rebodied as a Mudd Bohman and Schwartz Torpedo Sedanette Coupe with a leatherette body and a supercharger. (Malks p.95)

2235 J-276

Willoughby Berline

Long

Listed as no data in Adler – page 38 of Malks differs.

2236 J-217

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

The first shot is speculative but likely.

2237 J-220

Derham Town Car (speculative image)

Short

1930

2238 J-215

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

2239 J-219

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2240 J-214

Wolfington Royale

Long

2241 J-216

Unknown Town Car

2242 J-222

Willoughby Berline (speculative images)

Long

2243 J-218

Murphy Berline

Long

1929

Whittell

This car perfectly illustrates a Berline in its purest form – simply a sedan with a division window between the front and back seats. The body of this car was made entirely of aluminum – revolutionary in 1929.

2244 J-221

Willoughby Berline (speculative image)

Long

2245 J-225

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Long

1929

From The Chicago Tribune: “William Rosenwald is shown standing beside his convertible Duesenberg car which won the Grand Prix d’Honneur in the competition at Vichy.” Returned to the states the car underwent a number of modifications including a new windshield, which could be opened.

2246 J-224

Murphy Convertible Sedan (speculative image)

Uncertain Wheelbase

2247 J-226

Willoughby Berline

Long

Receiving a Lincoln Convertible Coupe Body

2248 J-227

Unknown (Possibly Willoughby Limousine)

Long

2249 J-228

Willoughby Berline

Long

To be Bohmanized

2250 J-229

Willoughby limousine (speculative interior shots)

Long

Owned by gangster Mickey Duffy

https://www.facebook.com/oldimagesofphiladelphia/posts/mickey-duffy-1888-1931portrait-of-gangster-mickey-duffyborn-william-michael-cusi/1212284678834468/

This Willoughby limousine got the Seattle Auto Rebuilders Treatment, and was turned into a Convertible Berline – eventually moved to 2451 J-439

2251 J-263

Willoughby Limousine

Long

(J-230 says Adler) (speculative image). In Sweden, the Limousine body was removed and set aside so that 2251 could be rebodied as a Figoni Convertible Victoria. The Convertible Victoria was eventually scrapped, and the limousine body will make a brief reappearance on chassis 2295.

2252 J-223

LeBaron Dual Cowl Sweep Panel Phaeton

Short

1929

2253 J-245

Willoughby Limousine

Long

Converted into a Phaeton

1929

2254 J-246

Murphy Town Car

Long

1930

Later rebodied as a Graber Cabriolet

As dashing as the surviving Graber Cabriolet is, these photos show how much beauty and craftsmanship is lost when closed cars are scrapped to make way for open cars. This first Murphy Town Car made its way to Europe. The photo taken on an Austrian Boulevard is from 1935, right before J-246 was rebodied.

2255 J-248

Derham Sport Sedan (likely)

Long

2256 J-241

Willoughby Sedan

Long

2257 J-237

Willoughby Berline

Long

Replaced by a Derham Town Car

This Derham Town Car has the rear section of 2452, which was wrecked, cobbled together with other parts and pieces of cars to create a rough, and not entirely accurate approximation of one of Derham’s creations. The paint job was probably done in the ’70s and would never have been applied to a formal car in the 1930s. It is nice, however, that so much work went into saving a closed car. As for the Willoughby Berline, this body was moved to 2370 J-350 where it currently resides.

2258 J-250

Willoughby Berline

Long

Now a Faux LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel with a 60’s style reinterpretation of a 30s interior. The Willoughby interior shot is speculative.

2259 J-251

Weymann Saint Cloud Sedan

Short

1929

2260 J-234

Willoughby Limousine

Long

(The interior shot is speculative)

Becoming a Faux Derham Tourster

2261 J-232

Derham Arlington Sedan

Long

1930

2262 J-351

Willoughby Limousine

Long

Now a Rollston Torpedo Victoria

1932

2263 J-235

Rollston Formal Town Car (Speculative images)

Long

Replaced by a Murphy Convertible Coupe

Two Murphy Convertible Coupes seem to have received the engine, though not the chassis, (which was long.) In fact, the last two photos are of the same car, which has now been restored to its original appearance with rear mounted spares. The body currently resides on its factory ordered chassis – 2369

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/30686,8968/1930-duesenberg-model-j-murphy.aspx

https://trombinoscar.com/duesenberg/3303.html

2264 J-233

Rollston Town Car

Long
quarter windows

1931

Becoming a strange roadster and a Faux LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton.

2265 J-239

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1929

2266 J-236

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1930

2267 J-238

Murphy Clear Vision Sedan

Short

1929

2268 J-240 then J-572 SJ

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Modified by Bowman and Schwartz

This Duesenberg began life as the “Hope Diamond Car.” Perhaps as a result of the original owner’s descent into madness it was acquired by Pacific Auto Rentals. It appeared in numerous films, shown here in order are: “Small Town Girl,” “Stowaway,” The Ex Mrs. Bradford,” “A Star Is Born,” “Breezing Home,” ” Arsene Lupin Returns,” and an unknown film. After the addition of skirted fenders it fell into the clutches of Bohman&Schwartz who transformed it into its current arguably improved appearance.

2269 J-242

Derham Sedan Arlington style (speculative image)

Short

Replaced by a Floyd Derham Roadster

2270 J-243

LeBaron Barrelside Phaeton

Short

1930

(first photo speculative, the second shows 2270 way in the background, and the color photos are of 2270 now)

2271 J-244

Weymann Fabric Covered Sedan (speculative image)

Short

2272 J-247

Letouneur et Marchand Cabriolet Coupe

Short

2273 J-252

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel

2274 J-253

Willoughby Berline

Long

With quarter windows

2275 J-254

Hibbard & Darrin Imperial Cabriolet

Long

Hearst

1929

2276 J-255

Judkins Limousine

Long

1929

Original location before being swapped to 2128

Here’s the famous Judkins Limousine, owned by Pacific Auto Rentals and used in so many movies. I remember sitting in this car back in the sixties, and was surprised to discover that the chauffeur had to be a contortionist. The gap between the leading edge of the front seat and the frame of the front door was so small that my teenage shoes couldn’t get through. The next obstacle was the steering wheel, which was so close to the back of the severely vertical front seat that the driver felt like a pinned butterfly. The price one paid for style. On the other hand, the intricate woodworking in the rear compartment was astonishing.

Here are some movie and television appearances in order: Night Monster, Lost City of the Jungle, nazi, The Great McGinty, Spider Baby, Party Girl, Some Like It Hot, Burke’s Law, Batman, and Francis.

A Fran Roxas Faux Torpedo Phaeton has currently commandeered chassis 2276

2277 J-258

Derham Berline (speculative image)

Short

1929

2278

No Data

2279 J-256

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

2280 J-259

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Long

Later modified by Bohman and Schwartz

1929

The second photo, which has made the rounds, identifies the woman as Carole Lombard, and implies that she’s standing beside 2359, which is a LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton. No LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton has trim molding on the hood that matches this car. Additionally, 2280, the Bourne Duesenberg, has distinctive headlights that steer with the front wheels, and these can be seen in the second photo. Finally, the woman in question only resembles Carole Lombard in being young, blonde, Caucasian, and dressed in stylish clothes – I suspect that it’s someone else – a model, perhaps.

2281 J-257

Murphy Convertible Coupe (similar)

Short

Probably not 2281 – but a fine photo of something similar

2282 J-260

Unknown

Long

2283 J-261

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel Supercharged

Fred Duesenberg at the wheel

2284 J-262

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1929

2285 J-264

Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton

Long

1929

2286 J-Unknown

Unknown

2287 J-266 now with J-453

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

Begun as a right hand drive Long chassis. J-266 was disassembled with its engine going into 2413. Now 2287 has J-453, which came from 2453. Confused? Such is the history of many Duesenbergs.

1930

2288

No Data

2289

No Data

2290 J-268

Fukuzawa Phaeton

Short

Rebodied as a Roadster by Meisterschule fur Handwerke

2291 J-271

Willoughby Limousine

Long

2292 J-270

An Unknown Car

Short

becoming a LeBaron Dual Cowl
Sweep Panel Phaeton

(after body moved to new chassis)

2293 J-272

LeBaron Barrelside-Phaeton

Short

In 1935 Paul Whiteman had this body replaced with a Rollston Convertible Victoria

2294 J-269

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1930

2295 J-273

Judkins Limousine

Long

Replaced by a Willoughby Limousine, which was modified by Figoni

2296 J-276

Willoughby Berline

Long

Now a faux LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

2297 J-275

Weymann Fabric Sedan

Short

Replaced by a cobbled together LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton, possibly used to create 2359.

2298 J-278

Hibbard and Darrin Convertible Coupe

Long

An interesting article about European Duesenbergs can be found in Issue 30 of the Society Of Automotive History. https://autohistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AHR030.pdf

2299 J-274

Hibbard&Darrin Convertible Victoria

1930

TRUE BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – factory colors may be altered

TRAGIC BLACK: Lost or destroyed Chassis – Lost or destroyed Body – Lost or destroyed Engine

FACTORY GREEN: Factory Replaced Chassis – Factory/Coachbuilder Replaced Body – Factory Replaced Engine

ARROGANT RED: Owner Moved Original Body – Moved Original Engine

TOO MUCH MONEY MAGENTA: Coachbuilder Modified Original Body – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Chassis – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Engine

DEMENTED ORANGE: Reproduction Body/Flight Of Fancy Body – Owner Generated

2300 J-277

Hibbard and Darrin-Convertible Victoria

Long

1930

2301 J-279

Murphy Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe

Short

With a special high roof – owned by Howard Hughes

1931

2302 J-281

Rollston Town Car

Long

With quarter windows

2303 J-282

Hibbard&Darrin Convertible Town Car

Long

1930

The chassis and J number of this motorcar has been in question for a long time. Finally the matter has been settled, as the link shows. Interestingly, several sources have labeled shots of the car as being of a different car with a similar appearance. King Alfonso’s Town Car has a light top and dark trim, while its twin (2378) has light trim and a dark top.

https://speedreaders.info/18758-alfonso-xiii-el-automovil/ https://speedreaders.info/18758-alfonso-xiii-el-automovil/

2304

No Data

2305 J-287

Murphy Sport Berline

Long

1930

Another Whittell car, this one supposedly ordered for his mistress. Also a classic Berline – a sedan with a division window.

2306 J-290

Formal mystery (speculative image)

2307 J-288

Murphy Convertible Berline

Long

1929

This Duesenberg appears to be the recipient of an anachronistic interior reflecting the aesthetics of the 1970s.

2308

No Data

2309 J-291

Rollston Town Car

Long

Blind quarter panel

2310 J-284

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2311

No Data

2312 J-294

Castagna Convertible Sedan

Long

2313 J-296

Rollston Town Car

Long

With quarter windows

2314 J-301

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Uncertain Wheelbase

Ordered in pink

2315 J-391

Murphy Convertible Torpedo Berline

Long

With a built-in trunk – owned by Tyrone Power

1930

2316

No Data

2317 J-302

Murphy Boattail-Torpedo Speedster

Short

1930

2318 J-299

LaGrande Barrel Side Phaeton

Short

1930

The first seven black and white shots are from “The Famous Ferguson Case,” 1932. This car was involved in a famous Hollywood film colony race against an SSK Mercedes. The Duesenberg won.

2319 J-396

a Willoughby Berline

Long

Replaced by a Faux Torpedo Phaeton

2320 J-303

Fleetwood Berline

Long

2321 J-285

LeBaron Phaeton

Short

2322 J-310

Judkins Limousine (speculative image)

Long

This chassis hopping Derham Sedan

Short

Received Factory Supercharged engine J-310 from this Judkins Limousine

2323 J-318

LeBaron Dual Cowl Barrelside Phaeton

Long

https://www.instagram.com/duesenberg_motors/

2324 J-307

Saoutchik Coupe DeVille

Long

2325 J-312

Hibbard&Darrin Convertible Town Car (likely)

Long

1929

Becoming a Graber Convertible Victoria

1934

(Malks identifies this car as being 2298, but goes on to describe 2298 as possibly a “Convertible Coupe with ‘walk-in’ rumble seat.”)

2336 J-309

Hibbard&Darrin Imperial Cabriolet

Long

Becoming a LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

2327 J-311

Judkins Limousine (speculative image)

Long

2328 J-135

Willoughby Limousine

Long

Becoming a Torpedo Convertible Coupe?

2329 J-184

Hibbard&Darrin Transformable Cabriolet

Long

1930

2330 J-315

Rollston Limousine

Long

Rebodied with a Lincoln Dietrich Coupe body and finally a Faux Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton.

2331 J-313

Rollston Town Car with quarter windows (speculative image)

Long

2332 J-321

Willoughby

Long

2333 J-305

Murphy Clear Vision Sedan

Short

With Blind Rear Quarter

1932

2334 J-317

Hibbard&Darrin Convertible Sedan (speculative images)

Long

2335 J-316

LeBaron Limousine

Long

Now a Faux Derham Tourster

2336 J-487

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Long

Sweep Panel

1929

2337 J-308

Murphy Clear Vision Sedan

Short

Moved to 2607 J-574

1930

2338 J-314

Van den Plas Covertible Coupe (speculative images)

Unknown Wheelbase

2339 J-326

Murphy Convertible Coupe (speculative images)

Short

Probably not J-326 – but it is a great period photo of a Murphy Convertible Coupe. (And a Derham Convertible Sedan thrown in for good measure.) The second shot is taken inside the Lake Shore Drive Hotel in 1933.

2340 J-327

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Now with J-401

1930

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/7046,8968/1930-duesenberg-model-j-murphy.aspx

2341 J-328

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

2342 J-323

LeBaron Convertible Coupe

Short

Now a Billings Tourster (supposedly)

Adler lists this car as “Unknown,” and Malks, P.77, as a Convertible Coupe by LeBaron, and similar to a style built for Packard. It appears that a late thirties style windshield was added to the body, which clearly reflects an early thirties style. The design is closer to what LeBaron built for Chrysler Imperials, and I wonder if the body was constructed exclusively for this Duesenberg, and is not a switch from another car.

Because this car is on the short wheelbase, I’m skeptical that it’s been replaced by a Billings Tourster, unless the chassis was altered or switched.

There’s a fascinating article about this car in Old Cars Weekly. https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/duesey-of-a-fairy-tale-the-classic-in-the-castle

2343 J-304

Willoughby Limousine

Long

2344 J-322

Derham Sedan

Short

Becoming a hot rod

2345 J-329

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

1930

2346 J-330

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Disappearing Top

1931

2347 J-331

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1930

2348 J-336

Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

“Now a Murphy Convertible Coupe”

2349 J-325

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel

1929

2350 J-338

Derham Arlington style Sedan

Short

Now a LeBaron Convertible Sedan

1934

A classic example of musical Duesenbergs. This LeBaron Convertible Sedan is one of two made for the short chassis. It was intended for 2546 with J-522, a supercharged engine, but was apparently never installed. Instead, in 1933, it ended up on 2152, J-127, which originally carried yet another Derham Sedan body. Finally, it ended up here on 2350.

https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6939-1931-duesenberg-j-lebaron-all-weather-phaeton/ https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az23/arizona/lots/r0051-1931-duesenberg-model-j-convertible-sedan-by-lebaron/1314372

2351 J-324

Willoughby Berline becoming a LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Long

Sweep Panel owned by Clara Bow

1930

After sampling a number of chassis this LaGrande Phaeton, used as a factory demonstrator, found a final home on 2351.

2352

No Data

2353 J-335

Murphy Torpedo (Convertible) Berline (speculative images)

Long

This car may be a hardtop.

2354 J-120

Murphy Torpedo Speedster

Long

Whittell

2355 J-334

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

The first body was damaged prompting a factory body swap becoming a La Grande Dual Cowl Phaeton

The seats appear to be a 60s style redesign.

2356

No Data

2357

No Data

2358 J-333

Judkins Four Passenger Victoria Coupe

Short

Now has J-160

Many parts were cannibalized, however the Judkins Coupe remains more or less intact, but with a new engine.

J-333 ended up in this LeGrande Roadster Mike Collins 1958 mounted on a 1950 Packard Super Convertible Frame.

2359 J-392

LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

1934

Reputedly built for Carole Lombard

The Duesenberg Data Base has this car listed as 2412, but that’s unlikely because 2412 is a long wheelbase chassis, and with the exception of 2323, 2336, and 2521 all LeBaron Phaetons were built on the short wheelbase. The confusion may be due to the fact that this car received J-457 taken from 2412. It’s also unlikely that Carole Lombard would have specified the adornments reflected in this car’s recreated interior.

2360 J-342

Dietrich Packard Phaeton

Unknown Wheelbase

2361 J-343

Willoughby Berline

Long

2362 J-344

Murphy Town Car

Long

Used by New York Mayor Jimmy Walker

2363 J-337

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

Now utilizing J-420

1931

2364 J-286

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1931

2365 J-346

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2366 J-347

Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

1930

2367 J-345

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1930

2368 J-349

LeBaron Barrelside Phaeton

Short

1930

Jay Leno

2369 J-351 J-235

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Disappearing Top

1930

Ordered with J-351, now equipped with J-235

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/30686,8968/1930-duesenberg-model-j-murphy.aspx

2370 J-350

Judkins Three Window Berline (speculative images.)

Long

1930

Now a Willoughby Berline

2371 J-348

Judkins Berline (First image is speculative.)

Long

1931

Hopefully, this now very rare motocar will get a proper restoration, complete with correct upholstery.

2372 J-353

Judkins Berline (speculative images)

Long

J-353 is now now in 2501 which hosts a Murphy Convertible Coupe

2373 J-352

Willoughby Berline (speculative image)

Long

2374 J-355

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Long

Now has J-204 swapped from 2225

Used in “Giant” – also in “Sunset”

1930

2375 J-354

Judkins Four Passenger Victoria Coupe

Short

2376 J-359

Murphy Convertible Berline (speculative images)

Long

2377 J-360

Murphy Convertible Berline

Long

1930

2378 J-361

Hibbard&Darrin Imperial Cabriolet (likely)

Long

This is the twin of the Duesenberg belonging to King Alfonso – unlike that illusive car this one has light colored trim and a dark top.

2379 J-364

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

Rebodied as a Murphy Boattail Roadster

Short

1932

2380 J-362

LeBaron Convertible Berline

Long

2381 J-366

LeBaron Convertible Sedan (speculative image)

With a v windshield originally

Long

Now with a Cadillac Fisher Roadster body

2382 J-358

Weymann Sedan

Short

1933

2383 J-356

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

2384 J-369

Franay Feres Town Car Cabriolet

Long

Became a Franay Sport Sedan – junked

2385 J-365

Franay Town Car Landaulet

Long

Rebodied as a Berline

2385 was host to a Kellner Town Car, which was moved to 2541 when it didn’t sell. A similar fate befell the Franay Town Car Landaulet that took over chassis 2385. Originally two-toned, it also didn’t sell. Repainted in black, it still didn’t find a buyer but did manage to make a brief appearance in the French version of “Topaze.”

2386 J-298

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

The car that Fred Duesenberg was killed in – repaired but unsaleable – moved to 2530, modified and sold as a new car.

***2387* *J-370***

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Rebodied by Bowman and Schwartz

Owned by Mae West

The fourth shot shows Mae West’s driver, and Film Director Raoul Walsh.

It’s speculated that this car was owned by controversial spiritual leader Frank B. Robinson before it was remodeled by Bohman&Schwartz

2388 J-357

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Disappearing-Top

1930

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AZ14/Arizona/lots/r104-1930-duesenberg-model-j-disappearing-top-convertible-coupe-by-murphy/182266

2389

No Data

2390 J-272

Judkins Berline

Long

1929

2391

No Data

2392

No Data

2393 J-373

LeBaron Phaeton

Short

Becoming a Fernandez&Darrin Boattail Speedster

1932

2394 J-375

LeBaron Convertible Berline

Long

Becoming a Faux Derham Tourster

2395 J-377

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Long

Now on 2471 – 1 of only 8 built on the long wheelbase

1931

2395 J-377 had a second incarnation as a Fleetwood Limousine

Finally becoming a Walker-LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel

Long

1934

2396

Unknown

2397 J-387

Murphy Beverly

Long

(The first three images are speculative)

2398

No Record

2399 J-374

LeBaron Convertible Sedan

Long

Now a Rollston Town Car

1934

TRUE BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – factory colors may be altered

TRAGIC BLACK: Lost or destroyed Chassis – Lost or destroyed Body – Lost or destroyed Engine

FACTORY GREEN: Factory Replaced Chassis – Factory/Coachbuilder Replaced Body – Factory Replaced Engine

ARROGANT RED: Owner Moved Original Body – Owner Moved Original Engine

TOO MUCH MONEY MAGENTA: Coachbuilder Modified Original Body – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Chassis – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Engine

DEMENTED ORANGE: Reproduction Body/Flight Of Fancy Body – Owner Generated

2400 J-382

Judkins Berline (speculative images)

Long

2401 J-381

Murphy Town Car

Long

1930

Doris Duke

2402 J–306

Willoughby Limousine

Long

1930

Originally J-383, replaced by the factory for being defective

It appears that the interior of this car was close to gutted, the most recent restoration is a valiant attempt to revive the spirit of the original.

2403 J-371

Willoughby Limousine (speculative image)

Long

The car is gone but its engine remains.

2404 J-398

Brunn Town Car

Long

2405 J-397

Rollson Cabriolet

Long

Bauer

Last delivered Duesenberg

1938/1940

2406 J-401/J-527

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Disappearing Top SJ

1935

This car was restored and painted a handsome dark garnet, and shortly after the job was done, a supercharger and pipes were added.

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/11,10992/1935-duesenberg-model-sj.aspx

2407 J-402

Rollston Town Car (speculative image)

Long

Getting a ’35 Lincoln Brunn Victoria body, then ultimately being saddled with a Faux LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel body.

2408 J-394

Derham Special V Windshield Sedan

Long

Now yet another Faux Derham Tourster

2409 J-384

Rollston Torpedo Victoria

Short

2410 J-434

Derham Sport Sedan (speculative image)

Short

Rebodied with a Derham Packard Roadster body

2411 J-390

Murphy Convertible Sedan (speculative Images)

Long

2412 J-457

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

Originally with J-392 and steerable headlights. The factory replaced J-392 with J-457

2413 J-266

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

Now in the Ford Museum. Only a Bugatti Royale can make a Duesenberg look small.

2414 J-395

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Disappearing Top

Baby Jane car

1931

2415 J-389

Dietrich Seven Passenger Convertible

Long

A twin of the car James Cagney was photographed with.

2416 J-400

Locke Town Landau

One of the most fabulous lost Duesenbergs. The brochure page reveals a curious eccentricity of the Duesenberg marketing department, showing a coachbuilt car with an interior that belongs to an entirely different car, in this case a Rollston Limousine.

2417 J-399

Rollston Limousine

Long

1929

2418 J-411

Show Chassis

Short

A couple of modern restorations thrown in for good measure.

2419 J-385

Rollston Town Car

Long

1931

2420 J-409

Willoughby Limousine

Long

Now a Hillegas Speedster – or a Faux Rollston Victoria

2421 J-386

LeBaron 7 Passenger Convertible Sedan

Long

1933

Becoming a Bohman and Schwartz Convertible Coupe

1935

2422 J-393

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Long

Sweep Panel

Now a Murphy Town Car

Used as a demonstrator, a LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton was originally on this chassis, then the factory moved it to another, and another, finally ending up on 2351. Ultimately Chassis 2422 became the home for a celebrated Murphy Town Car. This Duesenberg appeared in several movies – shown here in “The Great Mike,” “Foreign Correspondent,” “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and “Without Love.” Like most Murphy Town Cars, this offering, ordered by Dolores Del Rio, originally had ebony wood trim – changed, for some reason, to baby blue in its most recent restoration.

2423 J-407

Castagna Landaulet

Long

2424 J-408

Willoughby Sedan

Long

Becoming a Faux Derham Tourster

2425 J-431

Derham Tourster

Long

1931

Used by FDR. Sold to Gary Cooper. Originally with J-403, which failed. The appearance of this car changed over the years, in ways that are sometimes hard to understand. It began with a canary yellow and soft green color combination, which was stylish in 1931, but controversial today. Chrome wheel discs gave way to chromed wire wheels, only to reappear from time to time. The original steering wheel was white, becoming black when the car was stripped for performance runs. At one point the car was painted black, only to be returned to light colors, with fenders reinstalled and wind wings added to the windshield. The car was painted black again, eventually gaining skirted fenders. The first dark incarnation, with an unknown man behind the wheel, could be another Derham Tourster, yet it has the white steering wheel and a light colored undercarriage, suggesting a quick repaint. Gary Cooper owned a lot of high performance, glamour cars, including one of the two famous SSJs, so it’s easy to speculate that he tired of a car quickly once something newer and more enticing came along. Today, this car sports its original colors.

2426 J-404

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2427 J-380

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2428 J-406

La Grande Coupe

Long

2429 J-378

Murphy Beverly Prototype

Long

1930

https://www.instagram.com/mopar27/

2430 J-414

Willoughby Limousine

Long

Now with J-383 on a Jay Leno chassis

2431 J-420

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

2432 J-415

La Grande Coupe

Long

A brief interlude as bizarre Lincoln Continental Wanabe – then the rare case where a reproduction body is an exact replica of the body, which was originally placed on this chassis. Owned by Jay Leno.

2433 J-410

Judkins Berline (speculative images)

Long

2434 J-416

Murphy Convertible Berline

Long

2435 J-413

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1930

2436 J-422

Willoughby Limousine

Long

2437 J-425

Murphy Convertible Berline

Long

1933

2438 J-430

Willoughby Limousine

Long

1931

A very original car car, which stayed original until recently.

2439 J-421

Murphy Beverly

Long

Now a Rollston Convertible Victoria

2440 J-423

Derham Tourster

Long

2441 J-417

Judkins Berline with v-windshield (speculative image)

Long

Received a Cadillac body before fading into nothingness.

2442 J-428

Rollston Victoria

Short

Switched to chassis 2525 in 1933

2443 J-433

Murphy Special Victoria Coupe

Long

2444 J-432

An Unknown Sedan becoming a Bohman and Schwartz Sedan

Long

Mystery – Randy Ema believes this may be a Marmon – To me it looks like it’s based on a Derham Sport Sedan – now all that’s left is a display engine.

2445 J-436

An Unknown Town Car

Long

1930

Becoming a Union City LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

2446 J-429

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

(Bob Estes)

2447 J-435

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel

Short

1929

Owned by Howard Hawks

2448 J-419

Murphy Beverly Berline

Long

1933

The Beverly Berline is partially seen behind actor Conrad Nagel in the first photo. Randy Ema identified it, noting that it lacks decorative chrome strips often seen on the rear fenders. A few more shots of this illusive Beverly are taken from the 1934 movie “Sadie Mckee”.

Believed scrapped but at some point receiving a handsome Murphy Convertible Berline body, along with J-399.

One of the rare cases where a fabulous body was replaced with another fabulous body.

https://www.acdclub.org/forum/duesenberg-acd-forums/9097-can-you-id-this-duesenberg-with-tarzan-johnny-weissmuller?start=12

https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/a_fine_automobile_finds_a_new_home_at_the_roslyn_waterfront

2449 J-581

Dietrich Convertible Sedan

Long

1931

James Cagney is often associated with this car, but it doesn’t match his off-camera down-to-earth style, and I suspect that it’s a publicity shot.

2450 J-437

Weymann Tapertail Speedster

Short

1931

2451 J-439

Seattle Auto Rebuilders Convertible Sedan

Long

Another source says 2550 J-229. Moved to 2564, then moved back.

2452 J-426

Derham Town Car

Long

1930

The rear section of this wrecked Town Car was utilized in the construction of 2257 J-237

2453 J-453

Unknown

Long

2454 J-456

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

1931

2455 J-447

Murphy Convertible Berline

Long

With a built-in trunk

2456 J-444

Derham Tourster

Long

1931

Joe E. Brown

2457 J-450

Murphy Limousine

Long

Then a Bohman and Schwartz Limousine

1934

2458 J-443

Willoughby

Long

2459 J-442

Judkins Berline

Long

1930

Photographs of closed cars, especially their interiors, are so hard to come by that I’ve included shots of a model made of this particular car to give a rough idea of its features.

2460 J-441

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Short

Now has J-472 from 2491

1931

(owned by Ralph Pulitzer)

2461 J-440

Murphy Convertible Berline

Long

J-440 moved to 2550, a Brunn Riviera Convertible Sedan

2462 J-449

Murphy Beverly Berline

Long

1931

Johnny Weissmuller and Lupe Velez posed with this notable lost car.

2463 J-454

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

2464 J-448

Derham Tourster

Long

1931

This car was unique in having vertical hood louvers originally.

2465 J-446

Franay Convertible Sedan

Long

1931

2466 J-445

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

2467 J-418

E.R.Wood Co. Town Car

Long

2468 J-451

Derham Tourster

Long

2469 J-427

Murphy Town Car

Long

Paul Whiteman

1932

2470 J-452

Willoughby Berline

Short

Roe P. 152 suggests that this car had rear passenger instrumentation and a built in bar.

2471 J-286

Judkins Berline (speculative image)

Long

1930

Briefly harboring a Cadillac Fleetwood body before finally becoming a Murphy Convertible Coupe

Long

1931

1 of only 8 Murphy Convertible Coupes built on the long wheelbase making a repeat appearance on its new chassis

2472 J-412

Derham Tourster

Long

2473 J-455

Murphy Convertible Berline

Long

2474 J-394

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Short

1929

2475 J-405

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

SJ

2476 J-459

Willoughby Berline

Long

2477 J-462

Murphy Beverly (speculative image)

Long

2478 J-460

Murphy Coupe Whittell

Long

1931

2479 J-464

a Rollston Convertible Victoria

Short

Becoming a Bohman and Schwartz Convertible Sedan

A charming story about this car can be found here: https://rainshadownorthwest.com/2024/10/27/the-green-duesenberg/

2480 J-463/J-237?

a Rollston Limousine

Long

1932

Becoming a Dietrich Convertible Berline and finally a Faux LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel

2481 J-467

Brewster Berline

Long

Becoming a Faux LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

2482 J-470

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Long

1931

2483 J-471

Willoughby Formal Limousine

Long

Now J-368

1930

No window behind the rear door, instead a leather covered blind rear quarter – hence, this Limousine properly becomes a Formal Limousine, as it has all the other necessary requirements – a leather trimmed chauffeur’s compartment, a long wheelbase, comfy, forward facing auxiliary seats, and a division window.

2484 J-466

LeTouneur et Marchand Faux Cabriolet Coupe

Short

2485 J-476

Murphy Boattail Speedster

Short

The shot of the rumble seat is from a model but demonstrates how it was intended for only one passenger.

2486 J-475

Derham Convertible Sedan

Short

1931

Many of these photographs came from https://www.instagram.com/motorcar_collector/

2487 J-474

Murphy Beverly

Long

2488 J-473

Rollston Limousine

Long

For Mrs. Evans

2489 J-468

Murphy Beverly-Berline

Long

1934

2490 J-461

LaGrande Phaeton

Short

1931

After an accident in 1935 the phaeton was replaced by a Murphy Convertible Coupe body

2491 J-472

Cord LaGrande Coupe

Short

2492 J-249

Murphy Boattail Torpedo Speedster

Short

J-249 found its way into the engine compartment of a Bentley before it ended up back in this Torpedo Speedster. The wood trim on this car, apparently created recently, is similar to that found on 2199 before its current, highly accurate restoration.

2493 J-371

Willoughby Limousine

Long

2494 J-469

Derham Convertible Sedan (likely)

Short

This lovely Convertible Sedan is very similar to J-475, 2486, and J-505, 2523, both of which still exist. However, a few telling details distinguish this lost car from those other two. The oval rear window is the most obvious difference. Additionally, this car has white faced rear instruments, unlike J-475 whose instrument faces are black. In the case of J-505, the rear seat armrests are of a unique design, and the interior door locks are not in the same location.

Many of these photos came from https://www.instagram.com/motorcar_collector/

2495 J-477

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

Blind Rear Quarter

2496 J-478

Murphy Convertible Coupe SJ

Short

1933

2497 J-247

Fernandez and Darrin Victoria (speculative images)

Short

2498 J-482

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton Sweep Panel

Short

2499 J-489

Derham Tourster

Long

One of the eight authentic Derham Toursters. Interestingly the interior doesn’t sport the traditional interior design. Was it modified, or ordered that way?

TRUE BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – factory colors may be altered

TRAGIC BLACK: Lost or destroyed Chassis – Lost or destroyed Body – Lost or destroyed Engine

FACTORY GREEN: Factory Replaced Chassis – Factory/Coachbuilder Replaced Body – Factory Replaced Engine

ARROGANT RED: Owner moved Original Body – Owner moved Original Engine

TOO MUCH MONEY MAGENTA: Coachbuilder Modified Original Body – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Chassis – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Engine

DEMENTED ORANGE: Reproduction Body/Flight Of Fancy Body – Owner Generated

2500 J-479

Judkins Berline

Long

Lost

1933

(shown at the 1932 Auto Salon)

2501 J-353

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Disappearing Top

2502 J-480

Rollston Berline/Limousine (speculative image)

Long

2503 J-481

Fernandez and Darrin Convertible Victoria

Long

(Some shots with French star Suzy)

1931

This car went through a lot of changes until it was finally returned to its original color scheme, and I assume original, comparatively simple interior.

2504 J-486

Derham Arlington Sedan

Short

1934

2505 J-490

Rollston Victoria Coupe

Short

1932

At one time a number of liberties were taken with what was otherwise a well-done interior. Now, mercifully, the interior has been returned to its original appearance – even the round rear view mirror is back.

2506 J-488

Derham Convertible Sedan SJ

Short

2507 J-492

Willoughby Berline (speculative images)

Long

2508 J-485

Murphy Beverly Berline

Long

Jay Leno

2509 J-465

Figoni et Falaschi French Speedster

Short

1931

2510 J-342

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel SJ

A new mystery – this phaeton can be found at the Louwman Museum in the Hague as 2510, J-342, however, there is no record of chassis 2510, and J-342 originally powered a Duesenberg with a Packard Dietrich Phaeton body. The same car is listed by other sources as being 2559, J-532. 2559 appears to be its original chassis – was it moved? If so, what is on chassis 2559 now?

2511 J-496

Brunn Torpedo Phaeton

Long

The most famous lost Duesenberg

2512 J-483

Judkins Berline (speculative images)

Long

1933

2513 J-495

Murphy Beverly Berline

Long

1931

2514 J-497

Kirchoff Town Car

Long

1929

2515 J-494

LeBaron Convertible Berline

Long

1934

2516 J-499

Fernandez & Darrin Convertible Victoria

Long

1932

2517 J-500/J-559

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1932

This Murphy Convertible Coupe was originally ordered with J-500. In the fifties the Murphy Convertible Coupe and the famous Bill Robinson Berline, 2587, belonged to the same Duesneberg fancier, and the engines were switched with J-500 going into the Berline. It stayed this way until recently when the engines were switched back so that, once again, 2517 contains J-500.

A fascinating article in the Classic Car Club magazine describes what happened: (My anti-spyware claims the site is not secure, though I suspect that it’s overreacting.) http://c919297.r97.cf2.rackcdn.com/6nwh1uy8xtwjpo248jbxrymw8tym7n-optimized-pub.pdf

2518 J-498

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

Factory Supercharged with Monel eight port exhaust

2519 J-490X

Derham Sedan

Long

Becoming a Faux Derham Tourster

2520 J-491X

Willoughby Limousine

Long

Rebodied with a Lincoln KA Coupe body, and finally becoming a Faux Torpedo Phaeton

2521 J-492 X

Rollston Town Car

Long

Becoming a LeBaron Barrelside Phaeton

2522 J-462

Murphy Beverly

Long

Becoming a David Clark Special

2523 J-505

Derham Convertible Sedan

Short

1934

2524 J-504

Derham Tourster

Long

Show car and factory demonstrator with external exhaust

2525 J-428

Rollston Victoria

Short

1933/1930

The Rollston Convertible Victoria, a show car, was switched from chassis 2442 in 1933. This is a mystery, Murphy Convertible Coupes are much sought after, but a Rollston Convertible Victoria is hardly low rent and this appears to be the only Rollston Convertible Victoria with “suicide doors.”
Now a Murphy Convertible Coupe.

2526 J-506

Franay Roadster

Short

2527 J-501

Rollston Beverly Berline

Long

Some shots courtesy of ECR https://exclusivecarregistry.com/details/duesenberg/model-j/81017

2528 J-502

Willoughby Berline

Long

Factory Supercharged

2529 J-339

LeBaron Barrelside Phaeton (speculative images)

Short

2530 J-298

Murphy Convertible Coupe

Short

1932

This is the car in which Fred Duesenberg had a serious accident. Courtesy of the factory it received a modernized facelift and was relisted as a new car.

2531 J-295

Murphy Town Car

Long

1934

This car creates quite a mystery. The recently restored interior doesn’t match what’s shown in the image from the Duesenberg Sales Brochure. The wood working on the doors appear similar, with the original ebony replaced by a lighter stain, and then extra decorative stitching added for one reason or another. However, the back seat and rear armrests in the restored car don’t resemble anything that Murphy ever produced – their style is more in keeping with an offering by Willoughby. Even stranger, the photo taken from the car when it was in the Blackhawk collection shows the presence of a folding rear armrest – gone in the most recent restoration. Why, also, is the art deco rear door lock missing in this car’s latest incarnation? The plot thickens when one examines the shots of the old Monogram model from the sixties – not only does it show the art deco rear door lock, but it contains elaborate cabinetry that has vanished in the recent restoration, replaced by a far simpler layout. Possibly, Monogram took the liberty of creating their own fanciful cabinetry, as their model has features that are not authentic. For instance, only the Dolores Del Rio Town Car has outside exhausts, but it also has center opening doors, unlike the model. (The outside exhausts were probably a cost saving feature, as they would match those found on the earlier Monogram model of a Torpedo Phaeton.) The model also has a rear trunk, unlike 2531. However, a telling detail suggests that such cabinetry did exist in this car, or another, at one time, and this is reinfored by the fact that there’s no crank for the division window. Murphy Town Cars had sliding glass partitions, which didn’t require a window crank, and if Monogram captured that fact, it suggest that their rendering was based on a real car, or at the least, a factory photo. Did this one Murphy Town Car undergo so many strange alterations, or was another car the basis of the Monogram model? If so, that suggests that Murphy built at least seven Town Cars, rather than the six, which both Adler and Malks identify. To be clear the five other Murphy Town Cars have interior trim that is significantly different from what’s found in the Monogram model and on 2531, so none of them would be the basis of the Monogram model. Was there a seventh Town Car? Or even an eighth? In short, either the page from the Duesenberg brochure depicts 2531 before it was modified, or it gives a glimpse of an entirely different car, a seventh Murphy Town Car.

2532 J-493

Rollston Beverly

Long

2533 J-498X

Murphy Beverly Berline

Long

1932

2534 J-321

Willoughby Berline

Long

2535 J-384

Rollston Torpedo Victoria

Short

1933

2536 J-507

Derham Convertible Sedan

Short

Factory Supercharged

1933

Much of the Derham body was moved to 2145. What remained became a Speedster by Walton and finally a Schwartz Boattail Speedster

2537 J-508

Weymann

Fishtail Speedster (unrestored)

Long

2538 J-512

Murphy Beverly Berline

Long

Factory Supercharger

2539 J-513

Rollston Torpedo Sedan

Long

Also known as The Twenty Grand

J-513 installed later

1933

2540 J-510

LaGrande Phaeton

Long

Sweep Panel Factory Supercharged

1933

The most recent restoration of this car causes one to wonder if it left the factory as a dual cowl phaeton.

2541 J-516

Kellner Town Car Landaulet

Long

Paris Show

1930

After the move to chassis 2541, this Duesenberg was sold to the President of Syria – he was displeased with its behavior.

2542 J-511

Weymann LaGrande Torpedo Phaeton

Long

2543 J-514

Rollston Limousine

Long

1934

Once a fine mostly original car.

2544 J-518

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Short

Replaced by a Le Baron Convertible Sedan body likely taken from a Chrysler Imperial.

Factory Supercharged

2545 J-515

Willoughby Town Car

Long

2546 J-522

Lebaron Convertible Sedan

Short

Here it is again. The original owner possessed 2546 and 2544. One car was a Murphy Convertible Sedan and the other was a LeBaron Convertible Sedan, its body conceivably purloined from a Chrysler Imperial. Supposedly the bodies were switched and its not clear which body ultimately ended up on which chassis. Both cars were factory supercharged. The second photo suggests that at least one of these Duesenbergs has survived.

2547 J-320

Brunn Limousine

Long

Made for E.L. Cord

1929

2548 J-519

d’leteren Fr’ere’s Convertible Victoria

Short

1935

2549 J-529

Murphy Convertible Coupe rebodied as a Rollston Convertible Coupe

Short

1937

2550 J-521 J-440

Brunn Riviera Phaeton

Short

1934

2551 J-528

Brunn Riviera Phaeton

Short

SJ Factory Supercharged

1933

This Brunn Phaeton was moved to 2577. 2551 now hosts a Murphy Convertible Coupe, Disappearing Top – originally from 1929, and now powered by J-119

2552 J-523

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel

Factory Supercharged

2553 J-517

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Long

Factory Supercharged

2554 J-562

Weymann La Grande Torpedo Phaeton

Long

Used as the basis for a well-known Monogram Model.

2555 J-525

Brunn Riviera Phaeton

Short

Show Car

2556 J-527

Rollston Convertible Coupe

Long

Now J-550 (J-527, Factory Supercharged engine, removed and replaced due to malfunction.)

1935

2557 J-540

Judkins Sedan

Long

1935

2558 J-537

La Grande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel

1935

2559 J-532

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel

1935

This LaGrande Phaeton has been moved to 2510. The fate of chassis 2559 and J-532 is unknown.

2560 J-534

Walker-La Grande Convertible Coupe

Short

1934

2561 J-533

Rollston Convertible Coupe

Short

Model JN

1936

2562 J-535

Willoughby Berline

Long

2563 J-530

Walker-La Grande Convertible Coupe

Short

Factory Supercharger

1935

2564 J-536

Seattle Auto Builders Convertible Sedan

Short

Becoming a Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton

1934

2565 J-524

LaGrande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Long

1934

This Phaeton body really got around. After the LaGrande body was removed, a Judkins Limousine body was installed. The buyer disliked the factory’s attempt at modernization and had the traditional grille, lights, and fenders reinstalled.

2566 J-538

Rollston Convertible Victoria

Short

2567 J-542

Fernandez and Darrin Convertible Victoria

Short

2568 J-531

Walker LaGrande Convertible Coupe

Short

1934

2569 J-554

Walker LaGrande Special Coupe

Short

Jay Leno

2570 J-544

Bohman & Schwartz Convertible Sedan

Short

SJ

1936

2571 J-543

Rollston Town Car (speculative images)

Long

Becoming a Billings Faux Tourster

2572 J-556

Judkins Limousine (speculative image)

Long

2573

Mystery

2574 J-546

Rollston Special Berline Sedan

Long

1932

2575 J-547

Rollston Special Berline Sedan “Prince of Wales”

Long

1934

A marvelous survivor in great need of restoration.

2576 J-550

Rollston Convertible Coupe

Long

Moved from 2556 J-527

2577 J-551/J-528

Derham Sedan Factory Supercharger

Short

1935

Original body, and engine J-310, eventually moved to 2144.
2577, now with J-528 installed, became home to a Brunn Riviera Phaeton, which was, itself, moved from 2551

Short

SJ Factory Supercharged

1933

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/12842,13852/1933-duesenberg-model-sj.aspx

2578 J-539

Rollston All-Weather Cabriolet

Long

Factory SJ

1934

Another intriguing car. This Hubley model seems to be based on a Murphy Town Car – yet no Murphy Town Car had landau irons, or a windshield that slanted back that far. The interior of the model, with an elaborate rear cabinet, seems very Rollston, while the patterns and trim on the interior doors are reminiscent of the Rollston Twenty Grand. Was there at least one Rollston Town Car that shared features with the Twenty Grand? Sadly so few remain that we may never know.

2579 J-555

a Willoughby Berline

Long

Becoming whatever the second photo is of, and finally a Fran Roxas faux Torpedo Phaeton

2580

No Data

2581 J-568

Rollston Opera Brougham

Long

Owned by Marion Davies

1935

J-568 went into a modified Packard Convertible Coupe.

2582 J-553

Bohman and Schwartz-Town-Car

Long

SJ

1935

2583 J-548

Walker-LaGrande Torpedo Phaeton

Long

1935

Only Torpedo Phaeton without Factory original outside exhausts

2584 J-549

La Grande Dual Cowl Phaeton

Short

Sweep Panel – Before the dual cowl was added

Factory moved to 2559

1935

2585 J-560

Rollston Bohman & Schwartz Convertible Coupe

Short

JN

Clark Gable’s first Duesenberg. The shot from “Merrily We Live,” 1938, shows that the car was painted black after Gable disposed of it in favor of his famous SSJ. In several shots J-240 2268 can be seen in the background. It would be fun to see them reunited in a concours someday.

2586 J-561

Rollston 6-fender Limousine

Long

1935

2587 J-559

Rollston Bohman & Schwartz Berline

Long

Owned by Bill Robinson

2588 J-558

Walker LaGrande Torpedo Phaeton

Long

1935

Shown before its move to 2608. Due to customer complaints, the original chassis, 2588, was dismantled for parts. The Torpedo Phaeton, now on 2608, was wrecked in the 1940s. A modern restoration utilized chassis 2470, but somehow the chassis number remains at 2608. A Faux Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton Short received J-588. It’s unclear what chassis the Faux Murphy Phaeton rests on on now.

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/26152,10992/1935-duesenberg-model-sj.aspx

2589 J-564

Rollston JN Convertible Coupe

Short

1936

2590 J-565

Rollston JN Convertibe Coupe

Short

2591 J-578

Packard Touring Car Body

2592 J-562

A Willoughby Limousine

Long

resided on this chassis for a while, replacing the LaGrande demonstrator that was moved from chassis to chassis. Finally, a Faux LaGrande Phaeton was recreated and put on 2592.

2593 J-566

Rollston Covertible Sedan

Short

JN

2594 SSJ-563

LaGrande Speedster

Very Short

2595 SSJ-567

LaGrande Speedster

Very Short

2596 J-572 now J-509

Bohman and Schwartz Roadster

Short

1935

J-572 sent to 2268

https://duesey186.com/Datasheets/Model_J_Index/frm2596.htm

2597 J-409

Rollston Torpedo Convertible Victoria

Long

1934

2598 J-569

Rollston JN Sedan

Long

2599 J-575

Rollston JN Sedan

Long

Now a Faux Derham Tourster

TRUE BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – factory colors may be altered

TRUEST BLUE: Original Chassis – Original Body – Original Engine – fine, unrestored cars, or cars where one or all components are brought back to match the way that they left the factory, often after years of woeful modifications.

TRAGIC BLACK: Lost or destroyed Chassis – Lost or destroyed Body – Lost or destroyed Engine.

FACTORY GREEN: Factory Replaced Chassis – Factory/Coachbuilder Replaced Body – Factory Replaced Engine

ARROGANT RED: Owner moved Original Body – Owner moved Original Engine

TOO MUCH MONEY MAGENTA: Coachbuilder Modified Original Body – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Chassis – Factory/Dealer Modified Original Engine

DEMENTED ORANGE: Reproduction Body/Flight Of Fancy Body – Owner Generated

2600 J-571

Rollston JN Convertible Sedan

Short

With two superchargers

2601 J-570

Rollston JN Convertible Sedan

Short

1934

2602 J-583

Willoughby Berline

Long

2603 J-576

Rollston Town-Car

Long

1936

2604 J-579

Murphy Convertible Sedan

Long

1929

2605 J-577

Rollston Landaulet

Long

1936

2606 J-581

Rollston Special Convertible Berline

Long

1937

Now a Dietrich Convertible Sedan

2607 J-574

Murphy Clear Vision Sedan

Short

This show car was displayed with gunmetal leather bolsters and piping, blue lustercloth upholstery, and green dyed wood trim.

2608 J-582

Walker LaGrande Torpedo Phaeton

Long

1935

2609 J-584

Murphy Six Window Convertible Berline

Long

2610 J-580

Judkins/Bohman & Schwartz Berline

Long

Converted into a Town Car

2611 J-586

Rollston Special Convertible Berline

Long

1936

2612 J-588

Murphy Convertible Torpedo Berline

Long

1929

2613 J-587

Bohman & Schwartz Thone Car Landaulet

Long

1936

2614 J-585

Gurney-Nutting Roadster

Long

J-557

Mormon Meteor

Included are photos of the Mormon Meteor II and the Mormon Meteor IIII modified as the Curtiss Conqueror, where J-557 was replaced with a Curtiss aircraft engine.

BODY STYLES

Some of these images are speculative, others are the second or third bodies placed on chassis that originally held different body styles. Because of this body swapping an image of the same car may appear multiple times. When possible, oldest pictures of a given automobile appear first followed by the most recent pictures available and these are color coded to indicate how this one car has survived. (Purple, or plum for the same body, old and recent – lime for the same body appearing on different chassis.) Nonetheless, all types of cars built for Duesenberg should be present here.

CONVERTIBLE COUPES