Asking $345,000.00
Reasonable Offers Encouraged
The 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 premieir gatherings of collector cars and enthusiasts in the Country.
This extremely rare 12 Custom Phaeton is a very rare and desirable car. Restored in 1998 by legendary Craftsman Eric LaVine, this car has been shown and driven sparinging winning every time. An ACD Senior and CCCA Senior car, the car presents as a freshly restored car. Finished in a stunning catalogue color combination, this is without a doubt one of the finest 12 Phaetons, available anywhere.
