This 1930 Duesenberg Model J, chassis 2369 with engine J‑235, is a rare and elegant example of a Murphy “Disappearing Top” Roadster, one of the most advanced and visually striking open body styles ever fitted to the Model J chassis.

The car was originally commissioned by Esther Fiske Hammond, granddaughter of James Madison Beebe, founder of the Jordan Marsh department store empire. While residing in Pasadena, California, in late 1929, Hammond turned to the esteemed Walter M. Murphy Company to design and build a body that reflected her refined personal taste.

Rejecting the more common and heavier-looking side-mounted spare wheels, Hammond specified a cleaner, more streamlined solution: dual rear-mounted spares. This choice preserved the uninterrupted sweep of the body’s long, flowing lines and resulted in a more graceful and sporting profile. Only seven Duesenbergs are known to have been constructed with this distinctive configuration, placing this car among a very exclusive group that includes the famous SSJ roadsters built for Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.

The Murphy coachwork itself exemplifies the hallmark features of the disappearing top design. The convertible roof folds completely beneath a flush rear deck, creating a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette from the radiator to the tail. Combined with minimal ornamentation and precise proportions, the effect is one of pure, understated elegance.

In 1934, Hammond sold the car to her neighbor, Marjorie “Jorie” von Stresenreuter Butler, heiress to the Butler Paper Company. In a remarkable and generous gesture just a year later, Butler sold the car to her chauffeur’s son for only $500, recognizing his loyalty, an unusual and personal chapter in the car’s history.

Over the following decades, the Duesenberg passed through a series of owners before being acquired in 1979 by the Central Texas Automobile Museum, where it remained for many years as part of a curated collection of important automobiles.

In 2017, the car was purchased by its current owners, Paul and Cheryl Petrovich of Pebble Beach, California. Under their stewardship, the Duesenberg has undergone a complete and meticulous restoration, preparing it for its return to the highest level of concours presentation. The car was restored specifically for its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the most prestigious automotive events in the world.

Combining elegant California coachwork, thoughtful personal specification, and a compelling provenance, this Duesenberg stands as a superb example of the Model J at its most refined and individual.