One of the most distinctive examples of America’s prewar luxury era is set to cross the auction block at the Mecum Monterey 2026, where a 1933 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe will be offered as Lot R30.
The car carries coachwork from the Walter M. Murphy Co., a Pasadena firm whose work remains highly sought after among collectors. Its signature feature is a folding top that vanishes from view when lowered, a design touch that helped define the elegance of the period. The vehicle is believed to be among the final Model Js the company bodied before it closed in 1932, lending the car added historical weight.
Beyond its craftsmanship, the Duesenberg comes with a notable ownership history. It spent roughly four decades in the hands of Bob Estes, a celebrated racer, team owner and one of the founding figures behind the United States Auto Club. That long-term stewardship adds to the car’s provenance at a time when documented history can be as valuable as the machine itself.
The example is described as retaining its original chassis, engine and bodywork, an increasingly rare combination for a car of this age. It was restored by Stone Barn Automobile Restoration of Vienna, New Jersey, a shop well regarded in classic car circles. The Duesenberg also earned a place on the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance five times between 1970 and 1985.
Under the hood sits a 420-cubic-inch dual-overhead-cam inline eight-cylinder engine rated at 265 horsepower, fed by a single dual-throat updraft carburetor and paired with a three-speed manual transmission. The car rides on a live-axle suspension with semi-elliptical leaf springs and double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers, and stops with four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. External exhaust pipes and wire-spoke wheels complete the look.
Finished in green over a black interior, the Duesenberg carries chassis number 2446, engine number J-429 and body number 913.
See it here.
Visit our website to register to bid, consign your vehicle and browse all consignments. The Mecum Monterey Auction takes place August 13-15 in beautiful Monterey, California.
Eve Nowell