Undoubtedly one of the best-known and most beautiful body styles on the great Model J Duesenberg chassis was the “Disappearing Top” Convertible Coupe, a clean, elegant, and sporting creation of the Walter M.

Murphy Company of Pasadena, California.

Among the best-known survivors of the roughly 25 built, body number 921 was delivered to Duesenberg on 4 May 1930, and installed on chassis and firewall number 2414 with engine number J-395, tested that August.

Significantly, the car has remained intact, with all of these components including the original numbered crankshaft 395, since new.

According to the records of Duesenberg historian Dwight Schooling, J-395’s earliest known owner was Blake Garner of Chicago, who possessed it in 1936.

Cyrus “Blake” Garner was a young, wealthy investment banker who later moved to Hollywood, becoming well-known as a film producer and as a playboy frequently named in the gossip columns as a companion and would-be husband of actresses.

It is likely that...