269ci, Lycoming 100hp straight 8
Three-speed manual transmission with Columbia rear axle
Four wheel drum brakes
Left hand drive

*Rare, desirable body
*Recent, long-term ownership
*CCCA Full Classic®

The Auburn

While the American automobile industry's development in its formative years had been guided by the inventor/engineer, its progress between the wars was shaped not so much by technicians as by entrepreneurs. One such was Auburn boss Errett Lobban Cord, who once admitted to having made and lost $50,000 three times in the course of his business dealings, and all before reaching the age of 21! When Cord joined Auburn as general manager in 1924 the company was in the doldrums, making more cars than it could sell and heading for bankruptcy. After some Cord-inspired restyling, Auburn sales picked up and the stage was set for the creation of a glorious new automotive empire. From the moment E L Cord arrived however, the company's fortunes improved markedly. In 1925 Cord arranged for Lycoming straight-eight engines to be installed in the existing six-cylinder chassis and instigated a re-styling program that saw the new-for-'25 Auburns featuring two-tone color schemes and a novel beltline that swept up over the bonnet. Sales doubled for three consecutive years and in 1926 Cord became president of the Auburn Automobile Company.

The eight-cylinder Auburns were soon challenging Stutz for the accolade of 'America's fastest', Al Leamy driving an 8-115 Speedster at 108.46mph over the measured mile at Daytona in 1928 and going on to take the 24 hours record at Atlantic City Speedway. Not only were they outstanding performers, the eight-cylinder Auburns also represented exceptional value for money: at $1,395 the top-of-the-range '31 Speedster was less than half the price of the equivalent Stutz. "More car for the money than the public has ever seen," reckoned Business Week magazine.

The 1931 was the first of the sweeping fender, long hood Auburns, a design which was used through to 1933. The double-drop X braced frame allowed the overall height to be three inches lower than previous models, making open cars look more rakish and giving the closed Coupe, Sedan and Brougham a sinister but appealing look, particularly since the model shared the chassis, hood and front fenders with the Speedster.

Of the many body styles put forward, the Convertible Phaeton Sedan, priced at a quite-reasonable $1,345, was undoubtedly regarded as the top-of-the-line offering. The Auburn Phaetons featured exclusive options including roll-up windows and removable center pillars for a tight seal with the top raised.

The Motorcar Offered

This car is offered from a prominent North East collection, where it has shared a stable with other icons of a variety of motoring eras and has resided there for approximately a decade. An interesting transitional example it has a number of Custom 8-100A features, including technical aspects of dual ratio two speed rear axle and free wheeling, as well as a 25 gallon gas tank, and external aesthetics of wire wheels shod with wide white wall tires, as well as additional chromework and running board trim pieces. Complementing these aspects are a rear mounted trunk, twin side mirrors mounted to the spare tires and twin horns, while the car is finished in a period Auburn scheme.

Its known history can be traced prior to this ownership as having come from the collection of Harvey Geiger, and before this included a quarter of a century with noted Auburn and Cord collector Gib Patterson of Forest Grove, Oregon, until 1999. Patterson had acquired the car in the early 1970s from Dalbert Pantel of Chico, California. Over the years it has benefited from a number of refurbishments, the first dating back to that period, then another in 2002, at the hands of an ACD Class judge. With another decade of age, but limited use it was decided to freshen that restoration, so the car has again received much attention to its paintwork, new interior and some engine work in the last eighteen months arriving at the sale straight from that preparation.

With its distinct and eminently tourable specification, handsome lines and color way, this full CCCA Classic is ready to return to events of that club and others.