The Murphy Convertible Coupe was justifiably the most popular single body style constructed on the Duesenberg Model J chassis. It had smooth, simple, classically elegant lines, with the subtle beauty that Murphy was known for. Today the style remains a true classic, and examples very seldom become available for sale, in particular ones with the interesting tale to tell found in J-147—offered here.

‘THE BASEBALL J’

Duesenberg Model J number J-147 was originally delivered on 29 July 1929 to H. Leslie Atlass, a pioneer of radio and television broadcasting in Chicago, carrying a “sweep panel” phaeton by LeBaron. Not long thereafter, Mr. Atlass met his friend, Philip K. Wrigley, heir to the chewing gum fortune and owner of the Chicago Cubs. Mr. Wrigley was himself the owner of a new Model J, Murphy Convertible Coupe J-121, a car that he had personally helped to assemble at the Duesenberg factory in Indianapolis—a perk of the Wrigley family’s status as Cord Corporation’s premier stockholders. While Mr. Wrigley came to prefer his friend’s LeBaron coachwork, he wanted to retain the chassis that he had a personal connection with. Accordingly, the two cars exchanged bodies, and J-147 was crowned with the handsome Murphy Convertible Coupe that it retains to this day.

The car subsequently passed through the hands of Chicago Duesenberg trader John Troka, and was purchased by Bill Veeck, Jr., another American baseball legend. Known as “Sport Shirt Bill,” Mr. Veeck was owner at various times of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago White Sox, contributing widely to the sport and earning himself a place in its history. He enjoyed his Duesenberg until the start of World War II, at which time he traded it in on a more fuel-efficient Mercury. Troka soon repaired the engine, damaged by frost, with the block and crankshaft of J-245, and also installed that car’s firewall, number 2253.

Afterward the Duesenberg passed in 1950 to Dave Farr, an early enthusiast in Hinsdale, Illinois, who would maintain it for the next 13 years. Later long-term owners included Jack Siler of Ohio, Motor Trend co-founder and longtime “Classic Comments” columnist Robert J. Gottlieb, and the Imperial Palace of Las Vegas, which held it as part of what remains the largest collection of Duesenbergs ever assembled. For a brief few years, it actually resided within a stable in England!

Robert Perry of Birmingham, Alabama, purchased J-147 in 2007, and submitted it to Al Prueitt & Sons of Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, which undertook a full restoration. With the work complete, the car was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2009, and went on to receive an Amelia Award at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2011. It later received further authenticity and mechanical improvements at the hands of noted marque specialist Brian Joseph’s Classic & Exotic Service. In this form it was enjoyed for several years by the longtime Duesenberg enthusiast, Ross McEachran, and in 2016 was driven on the Duesenberg Tour in Northern Michigan, covering over 1,000 miles quite readily.

The car’s restoration remains well-preserved, and it awaits further show appearances, as well as, with proper preparation, further Duesenberg Tours and other road events where it would be pleasurable transportation. It is recognized by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club as a Category 1 Certified car, having been inspected and Certified by the Club no fewer than three times over the years!

A very well-known and attractive Duesenberg with a finely presented restoration and superb, interesting history with fascinating individuals, “The Baseball J” today awaits its next proud owner and caretaker.