1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by LeBaron

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Monterey, California | August 19-20, 2022

This is what you’d call a stately Model J. While it’s not a traditional limousine, it has that look but with a retractable soft top with landau bars and removable B-pillars. The coachwork is by LeBaron, who were responsible for some great Duesenberg designs back in the day.

Power is from a 6.9-liter inline-eight that made 265 horsepower when new. Model Js had a three-speed manual transmission. But all that power and favorable gearing means that this beast can do almost 90 mph in second gear.

This car was originally owned by an heir to a Chicago department store fortune. Ownership history is more or less known, and the car was restored by RM with work completing around 2000. The current owner bought it in 2010. Price estimates? More than a limo but less than a dual-cowl phaeton. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $1,061,000.

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy

1929 Duesenberg Model J-288 Convertible Berline by Murphy

I know, it’s been more than a month since we’ve featured a Duesenberg – can you believe it? As with most Model Js we’ve featured, this is also a Murphy-bodied car. We did feature another Convertible Berline (by LeBaron, which you can check out here) and if you compare the two you can spot a few differences but the cars are pretty similar overall. This LWB car was originally purchased by L.H. McCormick of Chicago, Illinois (and of the McCormick family) and this is how it looked when new. All subsequent owners (including the Blackhawk Collection) are known and the car is in show-or-drive condition.

The last time it was at auction was in 2011 and it sold for $704,000.

Update: Failed to sell at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, 2013.

Update II: This post heavily edited at the request of the person who is trying to sell the car.