Cars 1930-33
See also : Cars 1930s French cars Bugatti Italian cars US cars Duesenberg /
Chronology : 1930 1931 1933
Chronology : 1930 1931 1933
1930 It is a Duesy
2015 SOLD for DKK 17.8M including premium
Upon its entry into the Cord group, Duesenberg captures the market of the rich and kings with the model J chassis, released in 1928. The strategy of the brand in terms of bodywork is combined as it both includes workshops under the approved LaGrande label and a network of autonomous companies.
Located in Pasadena, Walter J. Murphy is equipping the Duesenberg cars of Hollywood personalities at that time when Americans are amazed to finally acquire a high-end car made entirely in their country. Unfortunately, the crisis will soon slow the momentum towards luxury.
On September 26 in a formerly royal Danish castle, Bonhams sells a Duesenberg Model J bodied by Murphy as a roadster in 1930, lot 14 estimated DKK 17M. Its first owner had been typical of the customers targeted by Cord : a Hollywood photographer descendant to the Vanderbilt family.
This car remained highly original. It was never dismantled and its successive owners offered it for 60 years to the admiration of the demanding Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club. It has the rare and prestigious feature of the folding roof which was not in the catalog and required a specific customer request to Murphy.
A similar coupe made in the previous year was sold for $ 2.36M including premium by Gooding in August 2013. Both these cars can not however be compared with the coupe that sold for $ 10.3M including premium at Gooding in August 2011, a single specimen bodied by Murphy in 1931 that takes advantage of the longer wheelbase variant of the Model J to exhibit a superb Art Deco line.
Located in Pasadena, Walter J. Murphy is equipping the Duesenberg cars of Hollywood personalities at that time when Americans are amazed to finally acquire a high-end car made entirely in their country. Unfortunately, the crisis will soon slow the momentum towards luxury.
On September 26 in a formerly royal Danish castle, Bonhams sells a Duesenberg Model J bodied by Murphy as a roadster in 1930, lot 14 estimated DKK 17M. Its first owner had been typical of the customers targeted by Cord : a Hollywood photographer descendant to the Vanderbilt family.
This car remained highly original. It was never dismantled and its successive owners offered it for 60 years to the admiration of the demanding Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club. It has the rare and prestigious feature of the folding roof which was not in the catalog and required a specific customer request to Murphy.
A similar coupe made in the previous year was sold for $ 2.36M including premium by Gooding in August 2013. Both these cars can not however be compared with the coupe that sold for $ 10.3M including premium at Gooding in August 2011, a single specimen bodied by Murphy in 1931 that takes advantage of the longer wheelbase variant of the Model J to exhibit a superb Art Deco line.
1931 The Long Wheelbase Duesenberg
2011 SOLD 10.3 M$ including premium
Captain Whittell was an exuberant American who had preserved his immense fortune by selling his shares just a few days before the financial crash of 1929. Such a character would have some Duesenbergs: he owned no less than six model J's.
At that time, customers bought the chassis and selected the body shop. The choice was great, which gives an infinite variety to Duesenberg vehicles.
The high end was the lengthened Model J chassis (long wheelbase). This huge machine 3.90 m long exceeded by 30 cm the standard (short wheelbase) Model J.
Whittell bought a long wheelbase in 1931 and made it equipped as a coupe by the stylist Franklin Hershey. The result is a surprising example of American Art Deco, including a folding roof that makes this car look like a convertible. The general shape is aerodynamic, anticipating the trend of the automotive design of the later 1930s.
It comes in the sale held in Pebble Beach on 20 and 21 August by Gooding. Totaling less than 20,000 km, it is in perfect working order.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold $ 10.3 million including premium, this car has certainly exceeded the most optimistic hopes. The press release issued before sale had been particularly enthusiastic.
At that time, customers bought the chassis and selected the body shop. The choice was great, which gives an infinite variety to Duesenberg vehicles.
The high end was the lengthened Model J chassis (long wheelbase). This huge machine 3.90 m long exceeded by 30 cm the standard (short wheelbase) Model J.
Whittell bought a long wheelbase in 1931 and made it equipped as a coupe by the stylist Franklin Hershey. The result is a surprising example of American Art Deco, including a folding roof that makes this car look like a convertible. The general shape is aerodynamic, anticipating the trend of the automotive design of the later 1930s.
It comes in the sale held in Pebble Beach on 20 and 21 August by Gooding. Totaling less than 20,000 km, it is in perfect working order.
POST SALE COMMENT
Sold $ 10.3 million including premium, this car has certainly exceeded the most optimistic hopes. The press release issued before sale had been particularly enthusiastic.
1931 Bentley was too fast
2013 SOLD 4.6 M$ including premium
A new era began in 1926 for Bentley Motors when Barnato acquired the financial control of that British brand of luxury cars created in 1919.
For sport and specially to win at Le Mans, two concepts were clashing. The founder W.O. Bentley is in favor of huge engines like his 6 1/2 liter model to get more power by an extension of the mechanical movements.
Pushed by the flamboyant team of the Bentley Boys, Barnato prefers overloading the engine of the 4 1/2 liter model. So starts the Blower Bentley in 1929. Unfortunately the new car, capable of outstanding speed performance, is not yet reliable enough to win endurance races.
A Blower Bentley manufactured in 1931 is estimated $ 4M, for sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge (Carmel) on August 16. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its outstanding feature is its original Le Mans-type chassis, consistent with the rules of the time for this endurance race. Its original bodywork had been made by Vanden Plas also in a Le Mans configuration. It was replaced in 1938, probably due to wear, with a nice Brooklands-type racing body with which it is still equipped today.
Bentley was too fast. The Blower had not won at Le Mans against the other models of the brand. The Blower Bentley for sale was one of the last to carry the hopes of this model that the crisis was to wipe out: in 1931, Bentley was bought by Rolls-Royce.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is consistent with the expectation for this interesting Bentley: $ 4.6M including premium.
For sport and specially to win at Le Mans, two concepts were clashing. The founder W.O. Bentley is in favor of huge engines like his 6 1/2 liter model to get more power by an extension of the mechanical movements.
Pushed by the flamboyant team of the Bentley Boys, Barnato prefers overloading the engine of the 4 1/2 liter model. So starts the Blower Bentley in 1929. Unfortunately the new car, capable of outstanding speed performance, is not yet reliable enough to win endurance races.
A Blower Bentley manufactured in 1931 is estimated $ 4M, for sale by Bonhams at Quail Lodge (Carmel) on August 16. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its outstanding feature is its original Le Mans-type chassis, consistent with the rules of the time for this endurance race. Its original bodywork had been made by Vanden Plas also in a Le Mans configuration. It was replaced in 1938, probably due to wear, with a nice Brooklands-type racing body with which it is still equipped today.
Bentley was too fast. The Blower had not won at Le Mans against the other models of the brand. The Blower Bentley for sale was one of the last to carry the hopes of this model that the crisis was to wipe out: in 1931, Bentley was bought by Rolls-Royce.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is consistent with the expectation for this interesting Bentley: $ 4.6M including premium.
1931 The Ideal Bentley according to Barnato
2007 SOLD 4.5 M$ including premium by Gooding
2012 UNSOLD
PRE 2012 SALE DISCUSSION
Barnato was the chairman of Bentley and the sponsor of the Bentley Boys. His high-end model was the Bentley 4.5 liter Blower.
Within eight decades, most cars have been repaired and transformed. One of them however, bodied in boat-tail shape in 1931 by Gurney Nutting, has been preserved in its original state and is considered as the closest copy of what Barnato was wishing. It has even kept its original fabric covering, probably somehow worn.
This car is known by the friendly nickname Green Hornet which was given to it by one of its former owners. It was sold $ 4.5 million including premium by Gooding on August 19, 2007.
It comes back at auction on August 19 in Monterey, also by Gooding. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its estimate, $ 8M, may seem ambitious. However, it is in the same range as the excellent result obtained by Bonhams on June 29 on a single-seater racing car built on the same chassis model: £ 5M including premium.
Some observers used to say that racing cars are more appreciated than other units. In today's market of vintage cars, I am tempted to doubt this assertion. The sale of the Green Hornet is a good opportunity to check the trend.
POST 2012 SALE COMMENT
Unsold. I am not surprised: the expected gain above the 2007 result was exaggerated.
The day before by the same auction house, a very rare 1928 Bentley in Bobtail shape was sold $ 6M including premium.
Barnato was the chairman of Bentley and the sponsor of the Bentley Boys. His high-end model was the Bentley 4.5 liter Blower.
Within eight decades, most cars have been repaired and transformed. One of them however, bodied in boat-tail shape in 1931 by Gurney Nutting, has been preserved in its original state and is considered as the closest copy of what Barnato was wishing. It has even kept its original fabric covering, probably somehow worn.
This car is known by the friendly nickname Green Hornet which was given to it by one of its former owners. It was sold $ 4.5 million including premium by Gooding on August 19, 2007.
It comes back at auction on August 19 in Monterey, also by Gooding. Here is the link to the catalog.
Its estimate, $ 8M, may seem ambitious. However, it is in the same range as the excellent result obtained by Bonhams on June 29 on a single-seater racing car built on the same chassis model: £ 5M including premium.
Some observers used to say that racing cars are more appreciated than other units. In today's market of vintage cars, I am tempted to doubt this assertion. The sale of the Green Hornet is a good opportunity to check the trend.
POST 2012 SALE COMMENT
Unsold. I am not surprised: the expected gain above the 2007 result was exaggerated.
The day before by the same auction house, a very rare 1928 Bentley in Bobtail shape was sold $ 6M including premium.
1931 Early Expectations for the Bugatti Type 51
2016 SOLD for $ 4M including premium
Introduced in 1924, the Bugatti Type 35 had been the king of the circuits. By cumulating works cars and private teams, it recorded no less than 2,000 wins within a few years.
At all times, an automobile supremacy is necessarily short lived. The technical progress of Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz is forcing Bugatti to look for new solutions. It is too late. Despite some early successes, the new models Types 51, 53 and 54 introduced in 1931 and 1932 will not match the ambitions of the French brand.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Miller 91 achieves great results in competition with its small supercharged engine reduced in volume to adapt to new rules, even at that time ! Bugatti indirectly obtains the Miller 91 patterns and creates its own Type 51 by plagiarizing the camshaft from its American competitor. The external features of the new car are almost unchanged from Type 35.
One of the first Bugatti Type 51 was sold in 1931 to Lord Howe, an outstanding personality of British motor racing who won in the same year the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a driving partnership with Henry Birkin on an Alfa Romeo 8C-2300.
Lord Howe intensely used his Bugatti Type 51, entering it four times at the Monaco Grand Prix. Tazio Nuvolari was once seen driving this car in the same time range, but only for practices. Lord Howe sold it in 1935. The later story is less glorious : the Bugatti overturned to kill its second owner in 1937.
Despite its rebuilding performed around its original chassis after the accident, Lord Howe's Bugatti remains one of the most desirable Type 51 in existence. It is for sale on August 19 by Bonhams at Quail Lodge, Carmel CA, lot 36.
Please watch the video shared by Bonhams.
At all times, an automobile supremacy is necessarily short lived. The technical progress of Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz is forcing Bugatti to look for new solutions. It is too late. Despite some early successes, the new models Types 51, 53 and 54 introduced in 1931 and 1932 will not match the ambitions of the French brand.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Miller 91 achieves great results in competition with its small supercharged engine reduced in volume to adapt to new rules, even at that time ! Bugatti indirectly obtains the Miller 91 patterns and creates its own Type 51 by plagiarizing the camshaft from its American competitor. The external features of the new car are almost unchanged from Type 35.
One of the first Bugatti Type 51 was sold in 1931 to Lord Howe, an outstanding personality of British motor racing who won in the same year the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a driving partnership with Henry Birkin on an Alfa Romeo 8C-2300.
Lord Howe intensely used his Bugatti Type 51, entering it four times at the Monaco Grand Prix. Tazio Nuvolari was once seen driving this car in the same time range, but only for practices. Lord Howe sold it in 1935. The later story is less glorious : the Bugatti overturned to kill its second owner in 1937.
Despite its rebuilding performed around its original chassis after the accident, Lord Howe's Bugatti remains one of the most desirable Type 51 in existence. It is for sale on August 19 by Bonhams at Quail Lodge, Carmel CA, lot 36.
Please watch the video shared by Bonhams.
1931 Grand Prix with Wimille
2018 SOLD for $ 3.74M including premium
After a full decade of domination in competitions, the Bugatti 35 became obsolete in 1931. To stay in the running against the growing ambitions of Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz and Bentley, Bugatti created a new model, the Type 51 Grand Prix.
The 51 retains the 2.3 liter volume of the 35 B while increasing its power with an engine layout copied from Miller. Intended for competition, this model is divided between the factory team and private owners.
One of them began its race history in July 1931 as a factory car at the Belgian Grand Prix. At the end of that year, it was sold to the young driver Jean-Pierre Wimille for 80,000 francs, a large sum for the time. In 1932 Wimille ran it in two Grand Prix in North Africa, winning the Algerian Grand Prix in Oran.
Before Wimille sells it a few months later, Bugatti reinstalls its equipment on a new frame without changing the chassis number. I guess this was a simple service after its short African career : satisfied with its condition, Bugatti has assembled another body on the original chassis.
The 51 ex Wimille is used intensively in Grand Prix in 1933 and 1934 before becoming the only Type 51 to enter American competitions, without much success.
Like most racing cars of its time, this Bugatti had several crashes and incidents as well as equipment substitutions. This second chassis is currently equipped with its original body, its original engine returned to operation and reinstalled around 1986 and its original gearbox retrieved in 1989 by its owner of that time in an auction of spare equipment.
It is estimated $ 3.2M for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 24, lot 48. I had discussed it in this column before it passed at RM Auctions on August 14, 2010. Meanwhile the Bugatti Type 51 ex Lord Howe was sold for $ 4M including premium by Bonhams on August 19, 2016.
The 51 retains the 2.3 liter volume of the 35 B while increasing its power with an engine layout copied from Miller. Intended for competition, this model is divided between the factory team and private owners.
One of them began its race history in July 1931 as a factory car at the Belgian Grand Prix. At the end of that year, it was sold to the young driver Jean-Pierre Wimille for 80,000 francs, a large sum for the time. In 1932 Wimille ran it in two Grand Prix in North Africa, winning the Algerian Grand Prix in Oran.
Before Wimille sells it a few months later, Bugatti reinstalls its equipment on a new frame without changing the chassis number. I guess this was a simple service after its short African career : satisfied with its condition, Bugatti has assembled another body on the original chassis.
The 51 ex Wimille is used intensively in Grand Prix in 1933 and 1934 before becoming the only Type 51 to enter American competitions, without much success.
Like most racing cars of its time, this Bugatti had several crashes and incidents as well as equipment substitutions. This second chassis is currently equipped with its original body, its original engine returned to operation and reinstalled around 1986 and its original gearbox retrieved in 1989 by its owner of that time in an auction of spare equipment.
It is estimated $ 3.2M for sale by Gooding at Pebble Beach on August 24, lot 48. I had discussed it in this column before it passed at RM Auctions on August 14, 2010. Meanwhile the Bugatti Type 51 ex Lord Howe was sold for $ 4M including premium by Bonhams on August 19, 2016.
1931 The Six Cylinders of Alfa Romeo
2014 SOLD 3.1 M$ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Alfa Romeo finds the path to success in 1926 with its new model with 6 cylinders, the 6C, which will get a continuous increase of the engine until the Second World War. The volume in cubic centimeters is directly displayed in the designation of the model.
The type 6C 1750 produced from 1929 to 1932 is equipped in different configurations in accordance with the practice of that time. The coachwork of high-end models is assigned to Zagato.
1931 was a great year for Alfa Romeo with its 8C 2300 whose variant 8C 2300 Monza is unrivaled with a top speed of 210 km/h. A 1933 car of this type coachworked by Brianza was sold for $ 6.7 million including premium by Gooding on August 15, 2010.
The 6C 1750 bodied by Zagato in Gran Sport Spider is one of the best variants designed for both daily use and competition. A rare supercharged car made in 1931 was found in 2007 sleeping in a barn for a quarter of a century.
Its successive owners so admired this little wonder that none of them dared to restore it and it remains in its original configuration. It was still untouched when it was sold for $ 950K including premium by Gooding in August 2007.
It has since undergone a thorough cleaning which makes it one of the most desirable examples of high end Alfa Romeo cars from the early 1930s. It is estimated $ 2.4 million, for sale by Bonhams in Scottsdale on January 16.Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
This great example of a car from the transition period between the 1920s and the 1930s was sold for $ 3.1M including premium.
Alfa Romeo finds the path to success in 1926 with its new model with 6 cylinders, the 6C, which will get a continuous increase of the engine until the Second World War. The volume in cubic centimeters is directly displayed in the designation of the model.
The type 6C 1750 produced from 1929 to 1932 is equipped in different configurations in accordance with the practice of that time. The coachwork of high-end models is assigned to Zagato.
1931 was a great year for Alfa Romeo with its 8C 2300 whose variant 8C 2300 Monza is unrivaled with a top speed of 210 km/h. A 1933 car of this type coachworked by Brianza was sold for $ 6.7 million including premium by Gooding on August 15, 2010.
The 6C 1750 bodied by Zagato in Gran Sport Spider is one of the best variants designed for both daily use and competition. A rare supercharged car made in 1931 was found in 2007 sleeping in a barn for a quarter of a century.
Its successive owners so admired this little wonder that none of them dared to restore it and it remains in its original configuration. It was still untouched when it was sold for $ 950K including premium by Gooding in August 2007.
It has since undergone a thorough cleaning which makes it one of the most desirable examples of high end Alfa Romeo cars from the early 1930s. It is estimated $ 2.4 million, for sale by Bonhams in Scottsdale on January 16.Here is the link to the catalog.
POST SALE COMMENT
This great example of a car from the transition period between the 1920s and the 1930s was sold for $ 3.1M including premium.
1932 The Roadsters of Jean Bugatti
2016 SOLD for $ 10.4M including premium
Reputed to be a traditionalist, Ettore Bugatti was perfectly right to trust his son Jean. The skills of the young man both as designer and engineer certainly saved the brand throughout the economic crisis of the 1930s.
The situation is uneasy. In racing, the glorious Type 35 is no more competitive and its successors Types 51, 53 and 54 do not reach the performance of their Alfa Romeo competitors. Too expensive, the Type 41 La Royale limousine appealed only three customers and its target of 25 units in production will never be achieved.
Fortunately the commercial success is maintained by a deluxe coupé designed in 1929 by Ettore and Jean, the Type 46 nicknamed La Petite Royale. Jean is 20 years old.
The Bugatti brand introduces in 1931 the Type 55 sports car with three factory bodywork options : coupé, cabriolet and roadster. Designed by Jean, this roadster introduces an increased elegance within the Bugatti range. In the following year, Jean gets inspired by this avant-garde experience to equip in roadster the La Royale purchased by Armand Esders.
From 1931 to 1936, 14 of the Type 55 chassis are equipped with Jean Bugatti's roadster. One of them made in 1932 is estimated $ 10M for sale by Gooding on August 21 in Pebble Beach, lot 135. It is illustrated along with other cars of its time in the press release.
Despite the differentiation between sports and competition models, the car for sale had entered the Mille Miglia in 1932. Piloted by Achille Varzi who was then an official driver to Bugatti, it had to stop after the piercing of the fuel tank by a rock.
This car retained a high level of authenticity. It was completely dismantled for a careful restoration. The original engine and gearbox, replaced by replicas during the re-assembly, are included in the auction lot.
The situation is uneasy. In racing, the glorious Type 35 is no more competitive and its successors Types 51, 53 and 54 do not reach the performance of their Alfa Romeo competitors. Too expensive, the Type 41 La Royale limousine appealed only three customers and its target of 25 units in production will never be achieved.
Fortunately the commercial success is maintained by a deluxe coupé designed in 1929 by Ettore and Jean, the Type 46 nicknamed La Petite Royale. Jean is 20 years old.
The Bugatti brand introduces in 1931 the Type 55 sports car with three factory bodywork options : coupé, cabriolet and roadster. Designed by Jean, this roadster introduces an increased elegance within the Bugatti range. In the following year, Jean gets inspired by this avant-garde experience to equip in roadster the La Royale purchased by Armand Esders.
From 1931 to 1936, 14 of the Type 55 chassis are equipped with Jean Bugatti's roadster. One of them made in 1932 is estimated $ 10M for sale by Gooding on August 21 in Pebble Beach, lot 135. It is illustrated along with other cars of its time in the press release.
Despite the differentiation between sports and competition models, the car for sale had entered the Mille Miglia in 1932. Piloted by Achille Varzi who was then an official driver to Bugatti, it had to stop after the piercing of the fuel tank by a rock.
This car retained a high level of authenticity. It was completely dismantled for a careful restoration. The original engine and gearbox, replaced by replicas during the re-assembly, are included in the auction lot.
1933 A New Strategy for Alfa Romeo
2016 SOLD for $ 12M including premium
On August 21 in Pebble Beach, Gooding sells an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza, lot 128 estimated $ 12M. Here is the link to the press release.
This car had been sold for $ 6.7M including premium by the same auction house at lot 117 on August 15, 2010 and had been discussed at that time in this column. It had been illustrated in the article shared by Sports Car Digest
This Alfa Romeo is in an original condition which is quite rare for a car from that time, including its matching number engine and a great traceability of the other elements.
The nickname Monza originally applied to the short chassis version of the 8C 2300 since a victory in the Italian Grand Prix in the first year of the model in 1931.
The build of many early Monzas had been entrusted to Scuderia Ferrari which was a subsidiary of Alfa Romeo. It is not the case for the car for sale which is a rare factory built of 1933 coachworked by Brianza. It belongs to the third series when the 8C 2300 Monza had become a regular variant with a further shortened frame.
1933 had been a pivotal year for Alfa Romeo.
The 8C 2300 model begins to be replaced by the 8C 2600. Alfa Romeo goes under the effective control of the Fascist government desiring to make it a flagship of Italian industry. The brand does not maintain any more a works racing team despite the great success of the two previous years and a repositionment of the Scuderia Ferrari will be necessary.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
This car had been sold for $ 6.7M including premium by the same auction house at lot 117 on August 15, 2010 and had been discussed at that time in this column. It had been illustrated in the article shared by Sports Car Digest
This Alfa Romeo is in an original condition which is quite rare for a car from that time, including its matching number engine and a great traceability of the other elements.
The nickname Monza originally applied to the short chassis version of the 8C 2300 since a victory in the Italian Grand Prix in the first year of the model in 1931.
The build of many early Monzas had been entrusted to Scuderia Ferrari which was a subsidiary of Alfa Romeo. It is not the case for the car for sale which is a rare factory built of 1933 coachworked by Brianza. It belongs to the third series when the 8C 2300 Monza had become a regular variant with a further shortened frame.
1933 had been a pivotal year for Alfa Romeo.
The 8C 2300 model begins to be replaced by the 8C 2600. Alfa Romeo goes under the effective control of the Fascist government desiring to make it a flagship of Italian industry. The brand does not maintain any more a works racing team despite the great success of the two previous years and a repositionment of the Scuderia Ferrari will be necessary.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
1933 A Convertible by Bohman and Schwartz
2018 SOLD for $ 3.85M including premium
A Duesenberg Model J equipped by Bohman and Schwartz as a disappearing top roadster passed at Mecum in Monterey on August 20, 2016, lot S114. It is now listed by the same auction house in the same location for sale on August 25, lot S93estimated $ 3.25M.
I narrated it as follows in 2016. The short video shared by Mecum was released before the 2016 sale.
Born into a family of industrialists of the lumber, Walter M. Murphy sought fortune in California. In 1920 he opened a coachbuilding shop in Pasadena by relying on the professional experience of one of his associates. He had no competitor for luxury cars in the area and became the provider of Duesenberg cars to the wealthy Hollywood residents.
An advised businessman, Murphy had therefore no specific training nor a sustained vocation for car bodies. The very sudden termination of his company in April 1932 is not related to the economic crisis because the backlog was abundantly filled. Murphy had lost a lot of money in an investment and felt the need to change his activities. He will become in the following year a major dealer for the Standard Oil Company.
The buyer of his workshop is unable to maintain the business. This is an opportunity for two former employees of Murphy, Bohman and Schwartz, to join their skills for processing the contracts unfinished by their former boss and for proposing the transformation of bodyworks from all brands.
The actress Marie Dressler briefly owned a convertible sedan assembled by LeBaron on a Duesenberg Model J long wheelbase which was the top end as a luxury chassis at that time. Her car was bought in 1933 by the film producer and director Roy Del Ruth.
Much younger than Dressler, Del Ruth expects a more modern look. He commissions to Bohman and Schwartz the transformation of his Duesenberg into a roasdster. This specific order makes this car the only example of a Model J LWB convertible coupe by B and S.
I narrated it as follows in 2016. The short video shared by Mecum was released before the 2016 sale.
Born into a family of industrialists of the lumber, Walter M. Murphy sought fortune in California. In 1920 he opened a coachbuilding shop in Pasadena by relying on the professional experience of one of his associates. He had no competitor for luxury cars in the area and became the provider of Duesenberg cars to the wealthy Hollywood residents.
An advised businessman, Murphy had therefore no specific training nor a sustained vocation for car bodies. The very sudden termination of his company in April 1932 is not related to the economic crisis because the backlog was abundantly filled. Murphy had lost a lot of money in an investment and felt the need to change his activities. He will become in the following year a major dealer for the Standard Oil Company.
The buyer of his workshop is unable to maintain the business. This is an opportunity for two former employees of Murphy, Bohman and Schwartz, to join their skills for processing the contracts unfinished by their former boss and for proposing the transformation of bodyworks from all brands.
The actress Marie Dressler briefly owned a convertible sedan assembled by LeBaron on a Duesenberg Model J long wheelbase which was the top end as a luxury chassis at that time. Her car was bought in 1933 by the film producer and director Roy Del Ruth.
Much younger than Dressler, Del Ruth expects a more modern look. He commissions to Bohman and Schwartz the transformation of his Duesenberg into a roasdster. This specific order makes this car the only example of a Model J LWB convertible coupe by B and S.
1933 A Phaeton by LaGrande
2017 SOLD for $ 2.3M including premium
From 1926 to 1937 the Duesenberg brand is owned by the Cord group. Its history leading from the extreme ambition to the fall follows the appearance and the evolution of the economic crisis.
Even in the most critical situations some people manage to find their profit. A stock broker named Smith acquires a considerable fortune. He needs a car of the highest performance with a spectacular bodywork. It will be a Duesenberg SJ LWB LaGrande phaeton, of course. LaGrande is the label by which Cord testifies that the bodywork is subcontracted by the group and not carried out by an independent.
The J-chassis has been the top-of-the-range since 1928. The Long Wheel Base version invites to the most extravagant bodies and especially for the open voitures de maîtres named phaetons. S indicates that the engine is supercharged.
The LaGrande phaetons are slightly different from each other but are divided into two variants, the dual cowl phaeton and the sweep panel phaeton. In the sweep panel phaeton the rear cowl is suppressed, offering an easier access to the rear seats and an extra comfort. This version includes on its entire width a folding interior windshield separating the rear seats for the use of the patron from the front seat of the driver.
The car delivered in 1933 to Smith is a sweep panel phaeton Duesenberg SJ LWB by LaGrande. The workshop that realized the body is unfortunately not identified. It has been known for several decades by members of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club under the name of Mexico City SJ.
It is in very good condition for a vehicle of its age. The body, engine and chassis are original but the supercharger did not survive a heavy early use and has been replaced by a replica in the correct configuration.
This car had already been introduced in my column. On October 10, 2008 at RM Auctions, it had not reached its lower estimate of $ 1.8M and had been sold post block for $ 1.7M including premium. I then commented that the times were hard : it was indeed the beginning of a major crisis in the market. It is estimated $ 2.5M for sale by Auctions America on September 2 in Auburn. Here is the link to the catalog.
Even in the most critical situations some people manage to find their profit. A stock broker named Smith acquires a considerable fortune. He needs a car of the highest performance with a spectacular bodywork. It will be a Duesenberg SJ LWB LaGrande phaeton, of course. LaGrande is the label by which Cord testifies that the bodywork is subcontracted by the group and not carried out by an independent.
The J-chassis has been the top-of-the-range since 1928. The Long Wheel Base version invites to the most extravagant bodies and especially for the open voitures de maîtres named phaetons. S indicates that the engine is supercharged.
The LaGrande phaetons are slightly different from each other but are divided into two variants, the dual cowl phaeton and the sweep panel phaeton. In the sweep panel phaeton the rear cowl is suppressed, offering an easier access to the rear seats and an extra comfort. This version includes on its entire width a folding interior windshield separating the rear seats for the use of the patron from the front seat of the driver.
The car delivered in 1933 to Smith is a sweep panel phaeton Duesenberg SJ LWB by LaGrande. The workshop that realized the body is unfortunately not identified. It has been known for several decades by members of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club under the name of Mexico City SJ.
It is in very good condition for a vehicle of its age. The body, engine and chassis are original but the supercharger did not survive a heavy early use and has been replaced by a replica in the correct configuration.
This car had already been introduced in my column. On October 10, 2008 at RM Auctions, it had not reached its lower estimate of $ 1.8M and had been sold post block for $ 1.7M including premium. I then commented that the times were hard : it was indeed the beginning of a major crisis in the market. It is estimated $ 2.5M for sale by Auctions America on September 2 in Auburn. Here is the link to the catalog.
