1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
- Engine
- 6.9L (420 cu. in.) DOHC inline-eight, 265 bhp
- Colour
- Pale green with white trim
Chassis 2468, engine J-451, is one of only eight Derham-bodied Tourster touring cars constructed on the long-wheelbase Duesenberg Model J, built on 23 March 1931. The design by Gordon Buehrig — his own declared favourite among his Duesenberg commissions — features an innovative sliding rear windscreen and lowered body proportions achieved by repositioning the rear seat ahead of the axle. All eight examples survive; this one carries a well-documented chain of American ownership and received a comprehensive restoration over approximately fifteen years by a mid-century owner.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,320,000
- 1931-03-23 →Factory deliveryDavid G. Joycefull documentation
Chicago-based heir to a large lumber fortune; took delivery of the car new from the factory on the build date.
- 1935 → 1942Acquisition unknownGerald Moravapartial documentation
Chicago owner who traded the car in against a Cadillac after seven years.
- 1942 → 1948Private saleD. Cameron Peckpartial documentation
Purchased from the Chicago Cadillac dealership for $325; a pioneering American car collector who warehoused hundreds of early vehicles in Chicago.
- 1948 →Private saleA.C. Bakerpartial documentation
Michigan owner who acquired the car from Peck and sold it roughly a decade later.
- → 2001Acquisition unknownDr. Joseph Murphypartial documentation
Prominent collector based in New Hope, Pennsylvania; the car was featured in Dennis Adler's book on Duesenberg and in the 1996 Murphy Collection publication.
- 2001 →Private saleCurrent European collectorpartial documentation
Has maintained the car in a European collection since purchase; the car holds ACD Club Certified Category 1 status.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownErnest R. Millspartial documentation
Indiana owner who undertook an extensive restoration over approximately 15 years, refurbishing the coachwork, tracking down missing hardware, and completing a mechanical rebuild; finished the car in pale green with white trim and tan interior.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJohnnie Bassetpartial documentation
Arkansas-based collector of the mid-1970s era; held the car for approximately two years.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJerry J. Moore Museumpartial documentation
Houston, Texas museum dedicated to Duesenbergs; received the car roughly two years after Basset acquired it.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
Served as an intermediary in the chain of custody between the Moore Museum and the Murphy collection.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Approximately fifteen-year programme by owner Ernest R. Mills encompassing coachwork restoration, mechanical rebuilding, and sourcing of missing original fittings and hardware; finished in pale green with white trim, tan interior and tan hood.
Mills consulted expert Marshall Merkes and former owner D. Cameron Peck to verify original specifications and ownership history during the process.
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