This 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan is a beautifully restored example of one of the most admired body styles ever created by the Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena, California. Murphy’s Convertible Sedans were among the most popular configurations fitted to the Model J chassis, combining the elegance of a formal closed car with the versatility and openness of a touring body.

The restoration of this particular car is closely tied to the legacy of C. W. “Bill” Bocock, a lifelong enthusiast of Auburns, Cords, and Duesenbergs. Bocock’s passion began in the 1930s when, while still in high school, he restored his first Auburn. This early experience sparked a deep and enduring commitment to the three great marques of the Cord Corporation. Together with his wife Martha, the Bococks devoted their lives to collecting, preserving, and celebrating these iconic American automobiles.

This Duesenberg became the centerpiece of their collection, their pride and joy. After completing its restoration, Bill and Martha Bocock exhibited and toured with the car for more than thirty years, proudly sharing it at shows and club events across the country. “It always stood out at shows like a jewel,” Mrs. Bocock later recalled, emphasizing the car’s commanding presence and the exceptional quality of the restoration.

In honor of Bocock’s craftsmanship and dedication, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club established the annual Bill Bocock Owner Restoration Award, presented to a club member who personally restores an Auburn, Cord, or Duesenberg to a high standard, an enduring tribute inspired by the devotion seen in this very automobile.

This important automobile was generously donated by the C. W. “Bill” Bocock Estate of Kerrville to the ACD Museum.
Price when new:  $14,750.