1932 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe
- Colour
- Dark green with tan interior
Chassis J-143 is a Duesenberg Model J fitted with a Walter M. Murphy convertible coupe body, one of roughly 25 built with a conventional folding top. Originally sold new in May 1932 to the notorious figure Jake 'the Barber' Factor, it subsequently passed through a succession of celebrated collectors including restorer Joe Kaufmann, who performed a meticulous mechanical restoration, and S. Ray Miller, whose museum made the car a centrepiece for two decades. A LaVine Restorations refurbishment completed in 1995 produced the car's current dark green and tan livery, earning multiple concours honours including second in class at Pebble Beach in 2006.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,132,500
- → 1932-05-17Factory deliveryDuesenberg factory branch (California)partial documentation
Car is believed to have served as a branch demonstrator in California before its first retail sale.
- 1932-05-17 → 1932Private saleJake Factorfull documentation
Known as 'Jake the Barber,' Factor was a notorious figure with a colorful criminal background; he held the car only a matter of months before trading up to a different Duesenberg model.
- 1932-07-01 →Private saleMrs. Reginald Parsons IIIpartial documentation
Spouse of a Seattle architect who also owned a Model J; the car was resold to her by the Los Angeles Duesenberg branch.
- → 1951Acquisition unknownJohn Trokapartial documentation
Reacquired the car after two short-term owners, then sold it in 1951.
- 1951 → 1972Private saleDan Langpartial documentation
Based in Racine, Wisconsin; an early enthusiast who accumulated multiple Duesenbergs and associated components. Kept the car in a partially restored state until his death.
- 1972 →Private saleCharles Johnsonpartial documentation
Long-standing collector who purchased the car from the Lang estate; owned several Model Js concurrently and subsequently traded this example onward.
- → 1978Private saleJoe Kaufmannfull documentation
Highly regarded mechanical restorer of Duesenbergs based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin; carried out a meticulous restoration, fitting an engine from another Model J while retaining the original bell housing.
- 1978 → 1983Private saleBen Caskeypartial documentation
Florida-based collector with a small but carefully curated group of Full Classics.
- 1983 → 1984Private saleRick Carrollpartial documentation
Owner of numerous Duesenbergs; held the car briefly before selling to Miller.
- 1984 → 2004Private saleS. Ray Millerfull documentation
Elkhart, Indiana, inventor and museum founder; the car became a centerpiece of his Midwest Full Classics collection and underwent a full restoration by LaVine Restorations between 1993 and 1995, emerging in dark green with tan interior.
- 2004 →Private saleCurrent ownerfull documentation
Acquired the car following dispersal of the Miller collection; has shown it selectively and had the engine repainted by Classic & Exotic Service shortly after acquisition.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGI ownernone documentation
Apparently a military serviceman who drove the car into the Midwest; chain of custody is vague for this period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn Trokapartial documentation
Well-known Duesenberg dealer who handled the car after the war; sold it onward but later reacquired it before the 1951 sale.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFirst intervening short-term ownernone documentation
One of two brief owners between Troka's initial sale and his reacquisition.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSecond intervening short-term ownernone documentation
One of two brief owners between Troka's initial sale and his reacquisition.
Competition
- 2006Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Shown under current ownership; achieved runner-up in its class at this prestigious event.
- 2014Concours d'Elegance of America
Exhibited under current ownership; no award mentioned for this appearance.
- 2017Concours d'Elegance of AmericaLion Award
Second appearance at this concours under current ownership, earning a Lion Award.
- —ACD ClubACD Club concours appearancesMultiple class awards
Car received several ACD Club awards during its show campaign following the 1995 restoration.
- —AACAAACA NationalFirst Prize
Earned a national first-prize designation during the post-restoration show career in the mid-to-late 1990s.
- —CCCACCCA SeniorSenior First Prize, subsequently Emeritus
Achieved the highest CCCA recognition level after accumulating the required points.
- —Meadowbrook Concours d'EleganceBest Duesenberg
Took the top Duesenberg award during the post-restoration show campaign.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1993RestorationLaVine Restorations
Comprehensive restoration undertaken with the aim of achieving the highest level of correctness and finish; the car emerged in 1995 wearing dark green coachwork with a tan interior.
Commissioned by S. Ray Miller; the odometer has recorded approximately 255 miles since completion.
- —RestorationJoe Kaufmann
Thorough mechanical restoration carried out by Joe Kaufmann, with the engine from chassis J-174 installed while the original bell housing was retained.
Work done during Kaufmann's ownership; completion predates the 1977 ACD Club Newsletter cover feature.
- —MechanicalClassic & Exotic Service
Engine repainted shortly after the current owner took possession of the car, around 2004.
Noted by the current owner as a minor cosmetic mechanical intervention following acquisition.
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