Vehicle Description
It seemed that within moments of the Duesenberg Model J's debut at
the New York Auto Show on December 1, 1928, the world's business
moguls, movie stars, and social elite lined up for their chance to
own the glamorous new "supercar" from Indianapolis. At the heart of
the Model J lay a 420-cubic inch, Lycoming-built inline
eight-cylinder engine featuring twin overhead camshafts and four
valves per cylinder, rated at 265 horsepower in naturally aspirated
form. The Duesenberg brothers engineered a superb and highly
advanced chassis featuring powerful hydraulic drum brakes and fully
automatic chassis lubrication that operated every 30-60 miles,
features years ahead of their time. The Model J vanquished nearly
everything else on the road and was by far the fastest, most
exclusive, and most expensive car in America. Unfortunately for
E.L. Cord, the car arrived just before the onset of the Great
Depression, and at nearly $10,000 for a chassis alone, sales never
lived up to his hopes of 500 vehicles per year. In reality,
production topped off at just 481 cars in total, and sales
gradually trickled on through the late 1930s. Today, the Model J
and its derivatives stand as the Gold Standard of Classic Era
automobiles and hold a place of pride among the most iconic and
desirable motorcars ever produced in America and are an enduring
symbol of the style and grandeur of the 1930s. Offered here is
chassis number 2307, aka 'J-288,' a marvelous example of
Duesenberg's grace and elegance. This superb long-wheelbase 1930
Model J wears unique six-window Convertible Berline coachwork by
Walter M. Murphy Co. of Pasadena, California, and is verified by
the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club as retaining its original
coachwork, firewall, chassis, and engine. Thanks to exhaustive
research compiled by the most recent custodian, we know that
chassis 2307 was completed in late 1929 and delivered to Murphy's
coachbuilding shop shortly thereafter. Murphy finished the body by
late spring of 1930, and the car was delivered to its first owner -
Mr. Leander Hamilton McCormick of Chicago, IL. The sales price of
$16,730 was indeed no worry for the fabulously wealthy McCormick,
as L.H.'s father, uncles, and grandfather founded the McCormick
Harvesting Machine Company, which, in 1902, merged with Deering to
become International Harvester. Hamilton McCormick was not one to
rest on his family's laurels - he was highly educated and inherited
the inventive gene. He held patents for hundreds of items,
including a secure ballot box, pick-proof lock, and railcar
couplers, some of which he earned when he was just fourteen years
old. Murphy is known to have built fourteen Convertible Berlines on
the long-wheelbase chassis. To differentiate it from the
convertible sedan, the Berline was intended for chauffeur use if so
desired and featured a roll-up central divider window. Chassis 2307
is unique in that it is theonlyone with a six-window design, with
two additional quarter lights aft of the rear doors. It also
features a three-piece glass division, rear speedometer, and single
jump seat. Murphy finished it in Ivory with a tan top, and the
interior upholstered in silk mohair with tan seat covers and
leather door panels. Mr. McCormick died in 1934, though his family
retained the Duesenberg until 1940. It then sold to fellow Chicago
resident Oscar Unterschuetz of the Philip & Son Fur Company. On
November 17, 1940, Untershuetz sold 2307/J-288 to Mr. John Troka, a
Chicago-area chauffeur who dabbled in used luxury car sales when
his clients and connections traded up to newer models. His records
indicate the car was green at the time of purchase, and shortly
thereafter, he sold it to Frederick Bott, taking another
Duesenberg, J-498, on trade. Bott owned it for a couple of years
before selling it on, and by 1945 J-288 entered the fabulous
collection of D. Cameron Peck, one of America's first major car
collectors. Photo documentation shows the car remained intact and
was never neglected throughout its life (it won "Best Duesenberg"
at the 1958 ACD National Meet), and a long line of enthusiastic
owners have respected its significance. David E. Block acquired
2307/J-288 in 1972, and during his ownership treated it to a
complete restoration and color change to its current livery of
burgundy with black fenders and a beige leather interior. Block
finished the restoration in 1980 and was known to drive the car
throughout New England, including from his Connecticut home to his
office at the Empire State Building! Subsequent prominent owners
include General William Lyon and Richard and Linda Kughn. In 2004
it came into the care of Howard Fafard of Framingham,
Massachusetts. Mr. Fafard displayed the car at the 2005 Amelia
Island Concours and later commissioned marque experts Classic &
Exotic Service in Michigan to perform an extensive mechanical
overhaul, including a full engine rebuild with updated Carillo
rods, Arias pistons, and reground original crankshaft. At the same
time, they performed a thorough cosmetic freshening, and photos
show that as Classic & Exotic removed mechanical components for
service, they were cleaned, refinished, and detailed as needed
before being re-installed. J-288 came into the care of its most
recent owner in 2013. Immediately upon acquiring it, he began the
arduous task of meticulously documenting its history, enlisting the
help of several Duesenberg historians and specialists along the
way. The accompanyingfourbinders include photos and documents
tracking virtually every owner, every known show it's attended
since 1958, correspondence with marque historians, photographs
dating back to its completion by Murphy, as well as service and
restoration records. Along with compiling its provenance, the owner
went through the car with a fine-tooth comb to ensure this is one
of the best-sorted Model Js on the road. It is offered here in
superb condition with excellent, well-preserved paint and
beautifully finished bright work. Body details include polished
side-mount covers, steerable driving lamps, chrome trumpet horns,
and more. The cabin is also finished to a high standard with lovely
tan leather piped in burgundy, rich burgundy carpets, and
factory-correct fittings, controls, and instrumentation. It is
equally suited for enjoyment on the Duesenberg Tour or a wide
variety of concours, ACD club gatherings, or CCCA events. The
eminently desirable Model J is the crown jewel of classic era
automobiles, and this marvelous example will undoubtedly stand
proud as the centerpiece of your collection. Offers welcome and
trades considered For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7128-1930-duesenberg-j-murphy-convertible-berline/
