Lost Duesenbergs & Cord Berline info?

Summary 2006: 2305/J287. Murphy Berline. All major components original, complete owership history known.
2006 August 19, RM Monterey, A#477: Sold $1,650,000 Catalog has complete ownership history.
2006 July 19, RM brochure for Monterey auction: Known as the Whittle Mistress car, J287 was purchased new by George Whittell Jr., one of the most prolific of all Duesenberg buyers. Believed to be a gift from Whittell, the car was delivered new to Miss Jessie McDonald of Los Angles, in January of 1931. Still fitted with its original body, engine and chassis, J287/2305 has a continuous history from new. This striking Murphy Berline was owned by noted collectors and friends J. B. Nethercutt and William Harrah, and later by the Imperial Palace Collection. .....Lapidus sold J287 to Robert McGowan, of Branford, Connecticut. The vendor acquired J287 from McGowan in 1996, and commissioned Maine restorer Chris Charlton ? who restored noted collector Bob Bahre?s award-winning stable of Duesenbergs ? to undertake a comprehensive professional body-off restoration, which was completed in 1998. Meticulous storage and careful maintenance have preserved the restoration, and the deep blue-violet Duesenberg remains in stunning, high point condition.
1999 March, Amelia Concours: Won "Car of Timeless Beauty"
1998 October, Hershey Concours, Owner Lee Herrington. Dk Blue, just painted, was Green. Restorer talked to ex-owner who had it in Green. AACA magazine, March 1999 photo 1st Junior
1993 Malks, photo p52: One-off Club Sedan
1987 August 11, World Classic Las Vegas, photo in catalog, Green, Good condition.
XXX XX Auto Q, v26#1 p 97: A Frank Hershey design, first with doors that curve into roof. Current owner, Oscar Davis. Probably one of Whittells cars sold in 1946, but see J218.
1985 September, Harrah auction p41: Photo 1/2 page, Green. Very orig except for some cosmetic restoration, Fair overall condition, few missing items, good running.
1975 Elbert p178 2305/J287 LWB Chassis sale, owner mounted LWB Murphy Berline
1968 AACA Roster p17: Owner Harrahs 2305/J287. Murphy 5P Sedan. Condition O

Summary 2006: 2418/J411 a display chassis until 1934 in NY. Then bell housing changed to J568, chassis renumbered to 2518 and it was fitted with a very traditional styled TC Opera body. Sold to Hearst, used by Marion Davis until the 40's, damaged in an accident, eventually parted out, engine went into Packard.
1996 March, SIA p59; "Hybrid with a History" 1 page article: Engine J411, built in 1930 and originally installed in chassis #2418. Unbodied until 1934, it was displayed in the company's NY City branch. At some time the engine was renumbered as J568 and the chassis as 2581, no one seems to know why. In 1934 it was fitted with a Rollston Town Car body, with very traditional styling, and displayed at the Chicago salon, and sold to William Randolph Hearst on December 3 1935. Hearst gave the car, now titled as a '35 to Marion Davies for Christmas. Miss Davies had it until the early forties at which time it was badly damaged in an accident. The wreck was sold to MGM studios and converted to a pickup!. In the 50s Mr. Lester Wegeforth was going to restore it, but it was too big a project so he put the engine in the Packard he already owned. Packenberg owned by Brent McKinley, Arlington Washington.
1993 Malks p 57; Displayed at the 1935 Chicago Salon it was purchased by W R Hearst for Marion Davies. Earlier in 1934, 2418/J411 was equipped with bell housing J568 and chassis renumbered 2581. Fitted with an "Opera Brougham" body. It had carriage lamps and canework. Photo p55.
1982 Roe The Pursuit of Perfection, p139 : 2418/J411 Renumbered by factory as 2581/J568. Photo of Rollston Panel Brougham (Town Car),. Renumbered by factory from 2418/J411. Delivered to Marion Davies in December 1935. Used in movies, body was destroyed, engine now in Packard convertible coupe. See SIA March 1996 for story on Packenburg.
See also, J254 for Marion Davies car, H & D Town Car Transformable Cabriolet.
1981 July Torque, Michigan CCCA, p7, "Interesting People and Murphy Town Cars" by L Kirk Walters: Dave Holls tipped me off that Strother McMinn of Pasadena, is an expert on the Murrphy body. I called and got an avalanche of material plus an interview with the original designer. this is the basis for this article, along with photographs. Fred Roe of MA has the worlds largest collection of Duesenberg photos He supplied interior photos and a list of current owners of Murphy town cars, cross referencing the original owners. Roe's summary lists 2418/J411 Said to have been a display chassis in NY, then bodied for E Klein, The engine survives.
See also, J254 for Marion Davies car. A H&D Convertible Cabriolet or Town Car. Malks p 109. These convertible cabriolets had tops that could be folded down so the passengers, like the chauffeur could ride in the open air.

Thanks, Mike. That was the one of the three I was least expecting to see "still alive." It would be interesting to see such a weird car up and running again.

J-242 with its roadster body is still in the Cleveland area as far as I know. The last time I saw it was 6-7 years ago. The gutted body was sitting on the rolling chassis with the fenders and radiator shell, the mechanicals were elsewhere. It was my understanding the the car was complete albeit disassembled.

I'm an enthusiast, new to the site, and I couldn't find any information on the current whereabouts of some famous old Duesenbergs.
I'm particularly interested in:
--the Marion Davies Duesenberg opera brougham--Rollston body, 2581/J-568
--Franklin Hershey's Murphy Club Sedan, 2305/J-287.
--Bohman & Schwartz Convertible Coupe on chassis 2596/J-572
--Phil Derham Roadster on chassis 2269/J-242
Also production/survivor numbers for Cord 812 Custom Berlines. Thanks to anyone who can help and even anyone who can't just for their interest.