Introduced at the New York Auto Salon on December 1, 1928, the 1929 model year Duesenberg Model J was a sensation. It was more powerful, faster, and better built than any other American automobile. With an immense DOHC straight eight, its 265 hp rating was nearly double that of its next most powerful competitor. Priced at $8,500 for the bare, running chassis, and completed cars reaching $20,000 and beyond, exclusivity was guaranteed for the wealthy, the famous and the influential.

Incredibly powerful, beautifully constructed, and technically advanced, it was equally adaptable to both open and closed designs – and even with the heaviest and most elaborate coachwork, it was able to easily outrun its competitors E.L. Cord and Fred Duesenberg’s Model J is the pinnacle of classic cars, with its specifications in many cases not improved upon for decades, it earned, and deserves, its continued reputation as the greatest of all American classics. Today, nearly a full century later, its status remains unchallenged.

Of the long and distinguished list of American coachbuilders, the Walter M. Murphy Company firmly established itself as one of the most celebrated and memorable. The lion’s share of this notoriety is due to the wonderful work Murphy coachbuilders completed on the Duesenberg Model J chassis, crafting an unprecedented 140 bodies for the 481 examples built. While Murphy offered a wide array of styles, from formal town cars to clear-vision sedans, the most popular and emblematic was the Convertible Coupe that accounted for over one-third of Murphy-bodied Duesenbergs. The style became so popular that, by the early 1930s, Murphy had begun to build bodies ahead to hold in reserve, greatly reducing the often-impatient customer’s wait time. An innovative Murphy feature incorporated into just 25 of the Convertible Coupes was an articulated deck behind the passenger compartment, beneath which the convertible’s top would stow completely into a well behind the seats, allowing it to be hidden and giving the bodywork a sleek, speedster-style profile and a crisp, coherent appearance. This coveted option has become known as the “Disappearing Top.” Among these, a handful received special details to accommodate their clients’ wishes and are worthy of special note, like the spectacular Model J offered here.

The first owner of this Duesenberg was quite a formidable woman. Esther Fiske Hammond was the granddaughter of the innovating Boston entrepreneur James Madison Beebe, a founder of the Jordan Marsh department store chain, the first to feature delicacies and goods from around the world. Ms. Hammond was a frequent guest of the Gilded Age’s extravagant soirees that occurred at the industrialist’s mansions in Newport, Rhode Island at the turn of the last century. Following her 1910 divorce from Gardiner Greene Hammond, himself the grandson of a wealthy Boston merchant, she moved west with her children, establishing homes in both Pasadena, and on an unprecedented 46 acres in picturesque Montecito, California. Though her fortune was vast, she instilled the values of hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit in her children, founding a taxi company for which they would drive and also repair the automobiles.

Not one for the formality of a chauffeur, Ms. Hammond retained the Walter M. Murphy Company to complete her Duesenberg. She ordered this Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe, chassis 2369, which she planned to drive between Pasadena and her oceanfront estate and farms in Montecito. She took the unusual step of asking that the dual spare wheels be relocated to the rear, allowing the beautiful sweep of the fenders to rise along the now-exposed scuttle. This is an area rarely seen on a Model J, as almost all were fitted with side mounts, and the result is a vastly more rakish vehicle, with the curves of the fenders belying its size. In the side mounts’ absence, five chromed spears were added ahead of the running boards to complement those of the rear fenders. Murphy completed just three Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupes with this lovely rear-spare option, with the only other surviving example currently being held in long-term ownership.

Mrs. Hammond kept 2369 until 1934, when she sold it to a Pasadena neighbor. From there, it passed through the hands of several collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts; notably, in 1938, it became what is believed to be John Troka’s first Duesenberg, sparking his unwavering interest as a collector. A significant percentage of the total J-Duesenberg production would pass through Mr. Troka’s hands in the coming decades. In the 1940s, during its time with Charles Allen of Wisconsin, 2369’s engine was changed from J-351 to J-235, and the car was held by a number of Midwestern collectors during the ensuing decades.

In 1974, 2369 was acquired by noted classic car dealer Leo Gephart. During his ownership, Gephart relocated the spare wheels to their conventional side-mounted location on the fenders. In 1979, after brief ownership by additional collectors, 2369 was acquired by the esteemed Texas-based collector Dick Burdick, and was displayed for many years in his Central Texas Museum of Automotive History, and later, Dick’s Classic Garage. Mr. Burdick’s ownership of 2369 spanned an impressive 36 years.

When the current owner purchased 2369 in 2016, fulfilling a lifelong goal, he sent it to the most respected Duesenberg historian and celebrated restorer, Randy Ema, with instructions to restore each component to its as-delivered condition, no matter the cost. Mr. Ema has fielded an unprecedented 10 First in Class Duesenbergs at the famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®.

Upon finding the side mount’s fender wells to be of substandard construction, Mr. Ema suspected that 2369 might be the missing rear-spare car that had eluded him for decades. His suspicion was confirmed when the mounting holes of the original dual-hub, rear-mounted spare-wheel carrier that he had recognized and bought at a swap meet some 30 years prior, aligned perfectly with original holes in 2369’s frame, holes that are not found on other Duesenbergs. With this new information, the consignor’s dedication to and enthusiasm for the restoration reached new heights.

A breathtaking deep merlot color, blended with a hint of black, was chosen for the exterior, and the Firestone blackwall tires and black canvas top perfectly enhance the hue. The chromed 19-inch Buffalo wire wheels are fitted with very rare, color-matched, full wheel covers, that Mr. Ema contributed to the project from his cache of rare Duesenberg parts. Inside, masterfully trimmed, Italian, tanned to order, cream leather hides are the highlight, with black Wilton carpets and hand-finished mahogany panels on the doors enhancing the elegant cockpit. Interestingly, four original upholstery tags found attached to the springs, addressed to Murphy in Pasadena, were preserved and are included with 2369.

The consignor is especially proud of the finish on 2369’s iconic dashboard, for what looks black at first glance reveals a deep bronze-toned, engine-turned panel beneath the finish when in direct sunlight; many Model J panels were so finished from new, but few are restored as such today.

The engine bay of 2369 is another marvel, with its mirror-like apple green engine block and cylinder head and highly polished alloy firewall, components, and hardware. The engine was completely rebuilt, using the original blueprints to ensure adherence to factory tolerances rarely duplicated properly. The exhaust manifold has also been appropriately porcelainized in green by the only remaining expert who performs such work, at extraordinary expense. The consignor states that the Bijur lubrication system functions as designed and that he has outfitted the differential with a taller final-drive ratio, enabling him to cruise 2369 quite comfortably at 85 mph at a relatively low rpm - with the exhaust cutout open, of course. Additionally, a rare and correct steering damper has been installed helping ensure smooth performance at higher speeds.

Upon its completion to ACD specifications, another lifelong dream was realized for the owner, placing first in the Duesenberg class in 2019 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, with a perfect 100-point score, which is, as many have learned, an incredible challenge. Later in the day, the Model J was also awarded the CCCA Trophy. This annual award is given to the most significant Classic Car present on the field – further high praise for this Duesenberg and its owner’s long journey to Pebble Beach. Later that year, 2369 was awarded Best of Show at the distinguished Ironstone Concours d’Elegance in Murphys, California. Adding to the significance of the wins, Mr. Ema has since acknowledged that his work on 2369 will be the final full restoration of a Model J of his momentous career.

The car that best represents the zenith of 1930s coachbuilding, a Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe, remains one of the most desirable of all automobiles, full stop. Enhancements to this landmark design, as with the example presented here, are counted among the most rare and precious automotive jewels. Its status as an ACD-certified, nut-and-bolt concours-restored, open Murphy-bodied Duesenberg, and one of only three such cars created with rear spares, places it in the highest possible echelon of vehicles of the Classic Era. Don’t miss this once in a generation opportunity to own one of the best and most important automobiles of its kind, with a restoration not likely to be duplicated to such exacting standards.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled 1933 and by its engine number.