Engine J‑144 was originally installed in Duesenberg Model J chassis 2175, a short‑wheelbase car delivered on November 26, 1929, to David G. Joyce. At the time, the chassis carried a Murphy Convertible Coupe body fitted with a non‑disappearing top, one of the earlier variants of Murphy’s elegant open designs.

Sometime during the 1960s, the engine was removed from the chassis, likely for mechanical repair or overhaul, but, for reasons unknown, it was never reunited with the original car. Such separations were not uncommon during that period, when even significant Duesenberg components were often treated more as usable machinery than as historically important artifacts.

In recent years, engine J‑144 has been given a new lease on life. It has undergone a complete reconditioning and blueprinting by Bill Mote of B&J Restorations in Seattle, a specialist well regarded for his work on Classic Era automobiles. This meticulous process ensured that the engine was rebuilt to precise original specifications, restoring both its mechanical integrity and performance potential.