For many enthusiasts, the Murphy “Disappearing Top” Convertible Coupe represents the ultimate expression of Duesenberg design. Sleek, elegant, and undeniably sporting, this coachwork is among the most celebrated ever fitted to the Model J. Approximately 25 examples were produced, and this particular car, chassis and firewall 2414 with engine J‑395, is widely regarded as one of the finest survivors.

Body number 921 was delivered to Duesenberg on May 4, 1930, and mounted on its chassis later that year. Remarkably, more than nine decades later, the car remains exceptionally original, retaining its original chassis, firewall, engine, coachwork, and even its numbered crankshaft (395), a rare level of authenticity among Model J automobiles.

The earliest known owner was Cyrus “Blake” Garner of Chicago, a wealthy investment banker who later became active in Hollywood as a film producer. During his ownership, the car is believed to have relocated to Los Angeles. Period photographs show it finished in a distinctive two-tone pale yellow and green, a livery it retained for over 40 years.

The car later entered the fleet of Pacific Auto Rental, a Los Angeles company well known for supplying automobiles to Hollywood film productions. Under the stewardship of George Schweiger, the company assembled an impressive collection of vehicles used in cinema and television. During this period, J‑395 became a familiar sight in the entertainment industry.

One of its most notable appearances came in the 1962 film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, where it played a prominent role alongside Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Its imposing presence made it an ideal symbol of glamour and status on screen. The car also appeared in television productions such as Bring ’Em Back Alive, and in the 1978 film Gable and Lombard. Photographs from the era even show actress Jayne Mansfield posing with the car. After briefly leaving the Pacific Auto fleet in 1949, the Duesenberg returned in 1956 and remained there through the 1960s and 1970s.

Following the death of George Schweiger, the entire collection was sold to the Imperial Palace Museum in Las Vegas. In 1995, part of the collection was auctioned, where the car was acquired by Oscar Davis. He refinished it in cream with a maroon chassis before eventually selling it back to the Imperial Palace, where it earned ACD Club Category One Certification.

When the Imperial Palace collection was dispersed in 1998, the car was acquired by noted collectors Chris and Kathleen Koch, who undertook a comprehensive restoration. Mechanical work was entrusted to renowned Duesenberg specialist Brian Joseph, while cosmetic restoration and assembly were carried out by Steve Cooley. The result was an outstanding presentation that earned First in Class at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, followed by numerous concours victories in the years that followed.

In 2008, the car joined the prestigious Andrews Collection in Texas, where it continued to be carefully maintained. After its sale in 2015, it returned to Brian Joseph’s workshop for further mechanical refinement, including adjustments to the valve and cam timing, rebuilding of the braking stabilators, and the installation of a high-speed differential, ensuring it performs as magnificently as it looks.

Acquired by its current owner in recent years, the car has continued to receive attentive care. In 2024, the convertible top was retrimmed in black, and a comprehensive service has since been completed, leaving the car ready for both concours display and touring use.

Today, chassis 2414 / J‑395 stands among the most desirable of all Duesenbergs. With its extraordinary originality, documented Hollywood history, concours success, and ongoing mechanical excellence, it represents the very pinnacle of Murphy-bodied Model J automobiles and remains a true icon of American automotive design as it approaches its centennial.