$2 Million Duesenberg J Murphy Convertible Sedan (w/ startup)
A rare red 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Sedan starting up and driving after the 2023 Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance. This car, chassis no. 2228 (engine no. J-208), was originally a factory demonstrator car and was later owned by Academy Award-winning Hollywood art director Cedric Gibbons who designed the Oscar statuette. It underwent a complete restoration in 1987 and has since won numerous awards including First in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The car will be offered at auction by Broad Arrow Auctions in August during Monterey Car Week, where it is expected to sell for a price of $1,600,000 to $2,000,000.
The 2013 film adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" was criticized for its various inaccuracies compared to the novel, including the use of a Duesenberg in place of a Rolls-Royce. Those who are more knowledgeable about cars may also point out that the Duesenberg J wasn't actually introduced until several years after the year the story took place. But I'm pretty sure the film's director wasn't stupid. And in the general time period depicted in the book/film, Duesenberg was, in fact, considered one of the most prestigious car companies in the world - an American Rolls-Royce.
Introduced in 1928, the Model J was powerful, luxurious, and a symbol of wealth and prestige. It was certainly beautiful, too, though bodies were fitted by coachbuilders at each customer's request - further proof that money clearly wasn't a concern for those lucky enough to own one. Many examples were owned by notable individuals including government officials and film stars. This car, while not a supercharged "SJ", features the prominent chrome exhausts introduced with the SJ and available as an option for non-supercharged cars. Excessive chrome on modern cars often comes off as tacky and pretentious, but when chrome is used generously on a big 1930s luxury car... well, this car's timeless beauty speak for itself. I'm lucky to have crossed paths with over a dozen different Duesenbergs, and it appears red is a very popular color choice for open-bodied cars. That shouldn't really be a surprise; after all, the Model J was the ultimate automotive symbol of American wealth and excess in its time - a perfect car for people like Jay Gatsby.
How much do you think this car will cross the auction block for? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!