This 1932 Duesenberg Model J is one of only two fixed-roof coupes ever bodied by Judkins for Duesenberg. It originally left the factory as a Murphy convertible coupe purchased by J.P. Wright, president of Continental Diamond Fiber Company. Wright came from a family that founded the National Vulcanized Fiber Company and later launched his own firm producing fibers for tire manufacturing.

When Wright traded the car back, Duesenberg removed the Murphy coachwork and installed a Judkins coupe body. This design was Gordon Buehrig’s first as a Duesenberg employee. It was likely drafted for Frank Yount, owner of the other Judkins coupe, as several of Buehrig’s early sketches were found among Yount’s belongings, including a concept featuring a five-window layout. The small door behind the seat, originally intended for a golf bag, was later converted into a drawer for goblets during restoration.

With the Judkins body in place, the car was sold to Shreve M. Archer Sr. of St. Paul, a key figure at Archer Daniels Midland and the first owner of the famous “Twenty Grand” Duesenberg. The earliest known photo of this coupe dates to 1963 when it was owned by Theodore Fuller of Connecticut.