Evaluation: Represented as one of three dual spare convertible coupes by Murphy and one of two extant. Known ownership history. ACD certified. Bought new by New England socialite Esther Fiske Hammond. Won its class at Pebble Beach in 2019 with a 100-point score. It shows little to no use since then, and who are we to argue with the Pebble judges? It’s gorgeous top to bottom, and the engine bay looks like jewelry.
Bottom Line: A rare body style and immaculate condition proven at the country’s premier concours made this Model J one of the highlight’s of Gooding’s 2021 Pebble Beach auction and it was the third most expensive prewar car of the week behind an ultra-rare Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 S Type at Bonhams and a Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix car that was also at Gooding.