Re: Walter M. Murphy, Pasadena

Posted by David Curtright On 2013/8/27 23:02:42

Another former Murphy employee was Joseph Kirchoff, who later went on to design a couple of Duesenbergs, including one for Anna Ingraham. He later went on to work on the Manhattan Project. Interesting guy. His shop was also in Pasadena. One of the two Duesenbergs that he built was for a fellow named A.K. Bourne, who was a V.P. at Singer Sewing Machine Co. In fact, his old home in San Marino is called "The Singer House". Bourne had gotten the Duesenberg (J-2208/186) early in their production, and had had a Willoughby body put onto the chassis. Later, in 1930, he saw a Packard driving around town, and wanted a copy of its body put onto his new Duesenberg. He hired Kirchoff, and the thing was done in a matter of weeks. It is called a "Convertible Berline", and it is a very unusual car. You can see it here: www.Duesey2208.com, and follow the links to the car. A photo of the Packard is in the early history section for the car. After Bourne, the poor Duesenberg was passed from hand to hand, and eventually ended up in a junk yard on Main St. in L.A. with a badly broken engine. It was there that my parents found it, and bought it in Dec. '52 for $500.00. Six decades later, it's finally done, and can be seen at that website, which my brother has developed into an extensive database for Duesenberg.