1936 Auburn Supercharged Cabriolet by Labourdette 1 Off for Maurice Chevalier

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, such as the 1928 Auburn Boattail Speedster, the Model J Duesenbergs, the 1935–1936 Auburn Speedsters and the 810/812 Cords.

We are very excited to offer this gorgeous One Off Custom Auburn with French Coachwork by Labourdette. this car was built for legendary French Actor and Singer Maurice Chevalier and has a known history. Always a part of top flite collections, the car came to the seller via the Blackhawk Collection several years ago. The car then underwent a professional restoration in preparation for the top Concours in the World-making its debut at Pebble Beach in 2021, in the impossible to win Open Full Classic Class. Afterwards the car participated in the ACD Labor Day meet and was driven quite a bit that weekend. SInce then the car has been used sparingly but never shown competitively.

The Supercharged Auburn is a rare and exciting car that really has few peers. Featuring 150 HP, light steering, a fully synchronized and rather sweet gearbox, and a dual ratio rear end, these cars will travel comfortably at highway speeds all day long. It;s no surprise then that European coachbuilders used the chassis for their artisitic creations, and while its unclear how many 851/2 Auburns were fitted with European coachwork, few survive. Labourdette created a stunning design here that honored the the Gordon Buehrig designed front end, while incorporating low slung European lines from the hood back. The flowing lines of the body are accentuated by pontoon fenders similar to a Speedster and an imbedded rear spare tire. The Rakish Windshield and low top perfectly flow with the lines of the car and the striking chrome window trim. Featuring Marchal Headlights and interesting crown shaped turn signals, the car is also fitted with adjustable shock absorbers. Inside the full leather interior is beautifully patterned and trimmed in Walnut, the rear compartment is fitted with cabinets and other storage as well as jump seats. The 200 KPH Speedometer and other gauges are all in perfect working order. The car is a a joy to drive and needs absolutely nothing mechanically.

The car is in Turn Key Show Ready Condition and is poised to go collect Awards at the top shows in the world. This is a rare, and possibly your only, opportunity to acquire a stunning European bodied Auburn.