Jun 10 2026

InstaGRAM Report: The 1930 Duesenberg and the 60th Annual AACA Car Show at Old Westbury Gardens


This past Sunday, the 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline attended the AACA car show at Old Westbury Gardens. This car show is always a crowd favorite, and the Duesy enjoyed non-stop attention from spectators and judges alike. Enjoy the car show coverage and see what awards the Duesenberg received.

Article by Gram Spina

Photos by Gram Spina, Greg O, and Pawel Pawlowski (a friend and fellow 2026 BFA graduate of Photography and Related Media from the Fashion Institute of Technology).


The crowd goes wild for the Duesy

The Duesenberg was undoubtedly one of the most popular cars in attendance on Sunday. We were given a prime parking spot with the historic Old Westbury Gardens Gold Coast mansion in the background.

Curious spectators lean in close to hear the history of the 1930 Duesenberg.

The 1930 Duesenberg Model J is a surviving example of the eight existing long wheelbase (153.5 inches) J Murphy Sedan Convertibles and one of six existing J Murphy Berlines.

It is the only known J Murphy Sedan Convertible with a removable interior headliner covering the metal top frame.

Compared to a brass era car, the Duesenberg is a showcase of design, comfort and power advancements – a shining example of what a luxury car and 21 more years should be.


Duesenberg Awards

The Duesenberg was awarded a Best In Class trophy and a memorial award dedicated to Mike Murry for Best Original Classic.

Award photos: Greg O.


Cars that caught our eye at the 60th Annual AACA Car Show at Old Westbury

1950 Chrysler Town and Country Newport

1963 Studebaker Lark

1962 Oldsmobile Starfire

1971 Datsun 240z photographed by Pawel Pawlowski

1938 Buick Century

Received a first-in-class award. 

1953 Mercedes-Benz 170 D

A pair of first generation Ford Mustangs

1965 Ford Mustang Tribute Shelby

My girlfriend Julia’s favorite car on the property (other than the Duesenberg) was the 1974 Checker Motor Company Airport Limo for TWA airlines.

1962 Plymouth Savoy Max Wedge

1967 VW Bus Westfalia camper

1977 Ferrari 308 photographed by my friend Pawel Pawlowski.

1934 Ford Three-window Hot Rod

1961 Porsche 356 ‘Super 90’

1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster owned by Meredith Jaffe and received a second-in class award.

A 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner and a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T making an impact on the next generation of car enthusiasts.

As the show was winding down, Mother Nature hinted that a thunderstorm was on the way, prompting spectators and car show participants to leave at the same time.

I used the opportunity to capture an image of the “waiting game” as clouds darkened the sky and rain began to fall.

Thank you to all who attended and made this car show possible. We hope everyone had a good time and didn't get affected by the rain. 

Bonus photo: This image, taken by my friend Pawel Pawlowski, was taken around the same time as the one above. If you look closely, you can see me taking a photo while my girlfrind Juila is standing beside me. 

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