Duesenberg Model J chassis 2457, powered by engine J‑450, is notable for its association with one of the most famous Duesenberg owners of the Classic Era, George Whittell Jr., the flamboyant Nevada millionaire known for his impressive collection of luxury automobiles.

The chassis was completed with engine J‑450, delivered on June 12, 1930, while its original coachwork, a Murphy sedan body, had been delivered slightly earlier, on May 4, 1930. The completed automobile was delivered to Whittell in 1931, joining a stable of prestigious automobiles owned by one of America's most colorful collectors and social figures.

Whittell retained the Duesenberg for only a few years. By 1933–1934, he had disposed of the car, selling it to Jonas Bloom. Under Bloom's ownership, the automobile underwent a significant transformation when the respected Pasadena coachbuilder Bohman & Schwartz was commissioned to restyle the car.

Bohman & Schwartz, successors to many of the traditions established by the Walter M. Murphy Company, were renowned for creating modernized and often highly individualized bodies for wealthy clients. Their redesign of chassis 2457 reflected the evolving styling trends of the mid‑1930s, giving the car a more contemporary appearance while retaining the underlying engineering excellence of the Model J chassis.

The conversion from its original Murphy sedan configuration to a Bohman & Schwartz design is characteristic of the changes many Duesenbergs experienced during their working lives, as owners sought to keep these prestigious automobiles visually current.