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Duesenberg SJ Murphy Convertible Coupe One Duesenberg, 83,000 miles, thirteen owners, a rumble seat and 140 miles per hour From "Special Presentation" episode DCRD-S

Before it was ultimately purchased by Jay Leno, this Duesenberg SJ Murphy had many owners and went through many changes through its long history.

Jay Leno's Duesenberg Collection, Automobile #3: SJ Murphy Convertible Coupe

Statistics:

• Model: SJ Murphy Convertible Coupe
  
• Year built: 1931
  
• Original owner: Jim Nichols
  
• Original mileage: 83,249
  
• Price new: 13,340
  
• Number in Leno's collection: 3rd

Awards:

• 1999 Pebble Beach winner — "1st in Class"

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Jay’s SJ Murphy Convertible was a fast car in its day. It could reach speeds up to 130 miles per hour, but roads in that day were not made for that kind of speed.

Going, going, gone!

This convertible coupe was a special find at an estate auction in Georgia. Passed down through 13 different owners, Jay Leno was informed this gem was up for grabs after its latest owner had passed away. This auction also awarded Leno his beloved Duesenberg chassis.

Purchased in 1931 by Jim Nichols in Chicago, this coupe was custom built with a disappearing convertible top and a flip open rumble seat. After driving it over 71,000 miles, Nichols sold it back to the Chicago Duesenberg branch in 1935. The president of Duesenberg, Harold Ames, drove the vehicle for a while, but eventually sold it off once again.

This SJ Murphy passed through multiple owners and traveled to many cities in throughout the years, including Indianapolis, New York, and Houston. The vehicle ultimately fell into the hands of Homer Fitterling in 1960, adding to his vast car collection. In 1989, Fitterling sold the Duesenberg at auction to Ed Weaver, owner of Diamond Carpet Mills. And in 1995 after Weaver's death, the vehicle was once again up for auction — this time ending up in Leno's comprehensive collection.

This photo is from when Jay first obtained the SJ Murphy.

Restoration Process

Despite the many owners this vehicle had throughout the years, it did not visit too many roads after its first owner. When Leno purchased it, the engine had not been run for 30 years. A full restoration was required to bring this Duesenberg back to life.
Randy Ema and his team restored every inch of this vehicle. They even acquired an original supercharger that was originally on another Duesenberg and added that to the engine. Considering there were only 38 superchargers ever built, this addition makes this SJ Murphy even more unique — it can travel up to 140 miles per hour!

Brief History of the Model SJ

The model SJ was introduced in 1932 by Fred Duesenberg, a supercharged version of the Model J. With 320 horsepower and speeds that could reach 140mph, it was said to be the fastest production vehicle of that time.

Go to the next Duesenberg in Jay's collection.