The 1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe by Murphy may have a long name, but when it comes to its design and condition, it quickly becomes obvious why an avid collector paid $3 million for it. The car was sold by RM Sotheby’s Arizona auction.
It started life as chassis number 2,199, custom-built by Duesenberg in one of the six original examples of the Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe, each of them differing in their detailing.
Its first owner was the son of John Gray, who invested $10,500 in Henry Ford’s automobile company in 1903 and the family stock were sold back to Mr. Ford sixteen years later, for a whopping $26 million. The Duesenberg was sold in 1933 to William McDuffie, in L.A., and in the mid-1930s was modernized with smaller wheels and skirted JN-style fenders.
In this form, the vehicle was noticed by Hollywood and it featured in the film “She Had to Eat”, accompanied by Rochelle Hudson, Jack Haley and Franklin Pangborn. Its life continued through the late ’40s in the possession of a Beverly Hills attorney and MotorTrend columnist Robert J. Gottlieb.
In 1951, it was sold to an Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club member, and by then, it was missing its original engine, sold for parts by an L.A. dealer. A J-414 original powertrain was installed by its new owner, which remains under the hood to this day.
Since 1985, the car remained in the famous Rick Carroll Collection in Jensen Beach, Florida, and in early ’90s, it was restored by Mike Fennel. With its new look, it was presented to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, where it was certified Category One. At the time of cataloging, it showed 17,069 miles (27,470km) on the clock.
PHOTO GALLERY
