1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Clear-Vision Sedan
- Colour
- Dark blue with polished beltline trim
Chassis 2209, engine J-187, is one of only six Walter M. Murphy 'Clear-Vision' five-passenger sedans bodied on the Duesenberg Model J, and one of just five survivors. Delivered new in September 1929, it has retained its original Murphy coachwork, engine, and chassis throughout a documented ownership history. The car passed through notable American collections over nine decades, received a full restoration during its time with the Imperial Palace, Las Vegas, and has been certified Category One by the ACD Club.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$750,000 – US$1,000,000
- 1929-09-01 →Factory deliveryArnold Lackersby and Noyes Averyfull documentation
Law partners based in Grand Rapids, Michigan; took delivery new on 1 September 1929. Eventually returned the car to Duesenberg through a trade.
- 1948 → 1953Acquisition unknownCharles Jacksonpartial documentation
Early automotive enthusiast from Chicago who held the car for roughly five years.
- 1953 → 1963Acquisition unknownDudley Waterspartial documentation
Enthusiast from Grand Rapids, Michigan, returning the car to its city of original delivery.
- 1963 →Acquisition unknownSid Bukapartial documentation
Colorado-based Duesenberg collector who kept the car for approximately two decades, maintaining it in well-preserved original condition.
- 2011 →Private saleCurrent ownersfull documentation
Kept in a well-regarded private museum; car retains excellent presentation and carries ACD Club Category One certification.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDuesenberg Motors / R.S. Pruittpartial documentation
Vehicle was traded back to Duesenberg and used as a company car by the firm's Vice President, R.S. Pruitt, who was based in Chicago.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJoe Folladoripartial documentation
Noted enthusiast who retained the car for an extended period before ultimately selling it on.
- Date unknownPrivate saleImperial Palace Collectionpartial documentation
Las Vegas museum collection that commissioned a full restoration to dark blue livery with polished beltline trim and matching interior.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPaul and Chris Andrewspartial documentation
Prominent private collectors who acquired the car following its dispersal from the Imperial Palace.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A complete restoration was carried out while the car was part of the Imperial Palace collection, finished in dark blue with a polished beltline and a coordinating interior.
Work took place during the Imperial Palace's ownership; exact date not stated in the prose.
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