This is precisely the reason why referring to Duesenbergs by their "J-number" is so counter-productive. The "J-number" is an engine number, not a serial number. When engines are swapped, as they often were, car A suddenly "becomes" Car B!
Use the 4-digit chassis number before the engine number, and things will become clearer. Still not perfect --- just a bit easier to follow.
Josh B. Malks
810 2087A
ACD Club Life Member
ACD Newsletter editor
Past president
www.automaven.com
I see that the Leake Dallas auction in November will include the
J420 1931 Duesenberg Murphy convertible sedan. In the auction brochure it states that the car was originally J337 and an engine swap was done in 1946. If the Adler book is correct originally J420 was in a Rollston Victoria. The Murphy was owned by my family from about 1953 until 1970, and I always thought that J420 was the original engine. I am curious now as to why there was an engine swap, and what happened to engine J337? Randy Ema do you have some history on this?
Also curious if the engine swap would have a negative impact on the value of this car?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this for me!
