Collected facts about Joseph Gerard Kirchhoff, Coachbuilder who created the bodywork for Duesenberg J-186 [work in progress]

b. c1882, d. 10 Jan 1964, Pasadena, CA; Arrived in New York from Austria at age 18 (from Dad's notes)

b. 1885, New York (from coachbuilt.com)

m(1). 1907, Eleonora; last wife: Margorie

Served in the U. S. Army, 1917-1918.

worked for Sterling Mfg. Co.,
Walter M. Murphy Motors Co. as superintendent (1920?-1926),
then formed Kirchhoff Coach Builders, USA  in Pasadena (1926-1932).

He built seven custom bodies bearing his name:
One Miller V8 Roadster with the first disappearing top; two Packards, at least one similar to Bourne's Model J; 2 Model J Duesenbergs (1929 Convertible Berline, 2208 J-186 and 1932 Town Car for Ana Ingraham, 2514 J-497); 2 other cars, one might have been a Ford.

His entire family worked on the cars; his wife and daughters upholstered, son-in-law painted and supervised.

After finishing the Ingraham car, he took the car to Europe and drove it to her place in Austria.  She then hired him to chauffeur her around Europe and Russia in 1934, 1936 and 1937.

Foreman at Gulf Cars with Miller

The Manhattan Project