Asking $175,000.
Reasonable Offers Encouraged
The Auburn Automobile Company grew out of the Eckhart Carriage Company, founded in Auburn, Indiana, in 1875 by Charles Eckhart (1841–1915). Eckhart's sons, Frank and Morris, began making automobiles on an experimental basis before entering the business in earnest, absorbing two other local carmakers and moving into a larger plant in 1909. The enterprise was modestly successful until materials shortages during World War I forced the plant to close. In 1919, the Eckhart brothers sold out to a group of Chicago investors headed by Ralph Austin Bard, who later served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and as Under Secretary of the Navy for President Roosevelt and for President Harry S. Truman. The new owners revived the business but failed to realize the profits that they hoped for. In 1924, they approached Errett Lobban Cord (1894–1974), a highly successful automobile salesman, with an offer to run the company. Cord countered with an offer to take over completely in what amounted to a leveraged buyout. The Chicago group accepted.
Cord aggressively marketed the company's unsold inventory and completed his buyout before the end of 1925. In 1926, he partnered with Duesenberg Corporation, famous for its racing cars, and used it as the launching platform for a line of high-priced luxury vehicles. He also put his own name on a front-wheel-drive car, the Cord, later referred to as "L-29"..
Employing imaginative designers such as Alan Leamy and Gordon Buehrig, Cord built cars that became famous for their advanced engineering as well as their striking appearance, e.g., the 1928 Auburn Boattail Speedster, the Model J Duesenbergs, the 1935–1937 Auburn Speedsters and the 810/812 Cords.
Styling and engineering failed to overcome the fact that Cord's vehicles were too expensive for the Depression-era market and that Cord's stock manipulations would force him to give up control of his car companies. Under injunction from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to refrain from further violations, Cord sold his shares in his automobile holding company. In 1937, production of Auburns, Cords and Duesenbergs ended.
The 35-36 Auburn Supercharged Cabriolet is arguably one of the most desirable and drivable cars of the Classic Era. The redesign accomplished by Gordon Buehrig were the hit of the 1935 Auto Salons. Their Art Deco styling and streamlined appearance give the cars an unmatched panache among their peers.These cars have it all-a fully synchronized gearbox- dual ratio rear end-Powerful supercharged straight 8 Lycoming engine- 3 position top- outside exhaust, and of course drop dead styling by the legendary Gordon Buehrig. Actually more rare than the Speedster- only 40 or so were built and around 25 are known to survive- these cars are the next best thing to a Speedster and you can actually take along some passengers and some luggage. Probably one of the best CARavan cars you can get. Auburns are bulletproof mechanically, and drive like a modern car. You will have no problem on interstate highways- you can drive 70 MPH all day long in a Blown Auburn.
This very nice example was the subject of a ground up restoration, in the 90's and then lived at the ACD museum for several years before being sold to a succession of new owners until it found a home in 2002 with a well known ACD collector who had the engine rebuilt, a new top and seat leather, and other minor things attended to resulting in National Awards at the ACD Annual Meet, a CCCA Senior Badge, and a few Concourse wins here and there. The car runs and drives extremely well and has never left its owner by the side of the road. It features Salon trim, sidemounted spare, Wire Wheels, and a stunning color combination. an ACD certifed car thsi is generally considered one of the best SC Cabriolets in existence.
