Equipment
Chrome wire wheels, dual chrome wrapped sidemounts with mirrors, rumble seat, luggage rack, dual remote spotlights. Built as a Derham Sedan, later truncated with the intention of building a truck for plumber Paul S. Johnson, a concept that needs a little thought to appreciate thoroughly. This body was origil on 2175 J144. After an accident it was salvaged by Buck Daugherty from a Kansas City junkyard and the body was sold to Keith Brown in 1957 who had acquired the truncated 2154 J132 the same year. Brown combined the two, restoring 2154 for the first and only time. It was sold to Homer Fitterling in 1959, then to Ed Weaver. RM Classic Cars was midwife to the next two sales, including to the present owner in 2006. Tired and aged but all there and sound except for some rot around the fuel filler.
Market commentary
With a known history that is no more convoluted than most Duesenbergs and the very desirable Murphy Convertible Coupe body, this is a a $600,000 swapped body but authentic Model J Duesenberg which brought an eighth more because of its history and charming but a bit shaky condition.