1931 Auburn Cabriolet - Significant Cars, Inc.

Auburn was a stylish domestic Automobile produced from 1900 to 1936. It 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 WWI forced the plant to close.

In 1919, the Eckhart brothers sold out to a group of Chicago investors. 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 purchased 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 L-29 Cord.

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.

The company's art deco headquarters in Auburn now houses the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. It was made a National Historic Landmark in 2005. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club holds an Annual Renuion every Labor Day at Auburn Indiana, and this has become one of the premier gatherings of collector cars and enthusiasts in the Country.

This is a beautiful and striking example of one of Auburn’s rarest body styles. Though the car was initially restored in the 80’s, it has been maintained and upgraded over the years. The restoration efforts have been very loyal to originality and the car has been used as a ‘reference’ for other award winning Auburn restorations. The car starts easily and runs beautifully. The engine has strong oil pressure and maintains proper coolant temperature. Everything is in working order – this car is ready for touring or the show circuit!

As standard equipment for Custom Series Auburns, the car has:

Free-wheeling unit (for clutch-less shifting and clutch-less coasting),
Bypass muffler that allows straight-through exhaust on the open road or baffled exhaust in town,
Bijur Automatic Chassis Lubricator

The car features many accessories such as:
·         Auburn mascot radiator cap,
·         double Pilot Ray lights,
·         double rear spare,
·         double whitewall tires (inside & outside).

Non-original enhancements include:
· Electric fuel pump for cold starts, and
· Headlight relay for really bright lights.

The car has had many successful judging appearances:

Pebble Beach Concours, 1985 – 3rd Place
Silverado Concours, 1985 – 3rd Place
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club (ACD Club) Labor Day judged competition

Primary Division, 2002 – 1st Place
Senior Division, 2003 – 1st Place

Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Grand Classic judged competition

Primary Division, 2003 – 1st Place
Senior Division, 2005 – 1st Place
Premier Division, 2007 – 1st Place

‘Cars & Parts’ magazine published a feature article on this car in its August 1987 issue.

As you would expect, the 20+ year old restoration has lost a little of its luster. The lacquer paint has some cracks on the hood louvers, on the gas tank cover, and at the corners of the rumble seat opening. The leather, carpets, top, and new boot are in great condition. Overall, the chrome is bright and clear; however, there are a couple of very minor flaws. As the car has been driven less that 2,000 miles since its restoration, the undercarriage is still very clean with only ‘garage dust’ showing.