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1929 Auburn 8-120 news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Boattail Speedster |
With a pointed boat tail, pontoon-style fenders, cutout doors and raked V-type windshield, the Speedster in Auburn's new top-line 1928 series was greatly admired and quickly copied by other automakers. It was also very fast. A Speedster with an optional high-compression cylinder head was clocked doing 108.5 mph at Daytona Beach. Wade Morton and Eddie Miller covered a record 2,033 miles in 24 hours on the Atlantic City Speedway in a Speedster. Also in 1928, Wade Morton randomly picked a Speedster off the Indiana assembly line and entered the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He raced up the hill in 21 minutes 45.25 seconds on the 12-mile climb that rises 2,200 feet and ran through ice and snow in the upper elevations. Morton took home the Penrose Trophy for the stock production class. The current record is just a little over 10 minutes for any class. Other Speedsters raced in Europe and South America.
The 1929 Speedster sold for $1,895.
This automobile features an eight-cylinder, 244.1 cubic-inch Lycoming engine that develops 120 horsepower and a top speed of 99.4 mph.
This 1929 Auburn 8-120 Boattail Speedster is a previous Ault Park Concours 'Best of Show' winner. The Boattail design is a styling landmark.
 |  |  | Sedan Chassis Num: MD34969 |
| High bid of $75,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
In 2008, this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $120,000-$160,000. Bidding reached $75,000 which was not enough to satisfy the vehicles reserve. The lot was left unsold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008
 |  |  | Boattail Speedster |
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
In 1928 Auburn introduced two Lycoming-powered eight-cylinder engines, one rated at 88 horsepower and the other at 115 horsepower. These became the bases for the 8-88 Model and the 8-115 Model; their designation obviously in reference to the engine. These new models were given hydraulic drum brakes to aid in stopping power and to help keep the Speedsters in the driver's control.
The styling was performed by either Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky or possibly Al Leamy. Al Leamy was a recent addition to the Auburn staff and would become famous in the years to come, with the design of the L-29 Cord automobile.
The Speedster models were very elegant and eye-catching. They featured hood louvers, a raked windshield, twin side-mounted spares, and a boattail rear-end.
The Model 8's were given a wide-ratio three-speed gearbox and rested on either a 125- or 130-inch wheelbase, depending on the model. The 8-115 had the larger size.
1929 brought few changes to the Speedsters; they were now known as the 8-90 and the 8-120. The naming scheme varied slightly from prior years, as horsepower was not rated at 96 and 125 respectively, but the names did not necessarily match. This increase in power was due to a change in the fuel system.
1929 was a great year for the Auburn 8 Models, and enjoyed record sales numbers. The company chose to make minimal changes for the following year, as the cars were selling well and most of their attention was diverted to the upcoming front-wheel drive Cord models.
In 1930 horsepower again improved, now rated at 100 for the smaller eight. The name 'Speedster' no longer appeared as part of the Model 8 name. It would re-appear the following year (In 1931), as the company wanted to put emphasis on performance.
The larger eight-cylinder engine was dropped, as was both of the six-cylinder engines. The 8-95 Model was bored-out to 268.6 cubic-inches and brought about the 8-98 model (and featured 98 horsepower). It was available in either Standard or Custom guise. The Custom line had an 'A' in the name to help distinguish it from the Standard line (appearing as 8-98A) and featured a free-wheeling, heavy, X-braced frame. Other options included dual-ratio rear axle, wire wheels, upgraded interior in hardware and fabric, and extra moldings.
Thanks in part to the onset of the Great Depression, the 8-98 sold for $350 less than the prior 8-95 Sedan of the 1930s. The Sedan sold for $995 while the Speedster for $945. Some experts say that the construction was not as solid as prior years, plus the Lockheed Hydraulics were replaced by Midland 'Steel-draulic' mechanical brakes. Still, Fortune reported the Auburn Model 8's as 'the biggest package in the world for the price.'
In 1932, the Styling remained mostly unchaged; mechanically, things were different. A new Startix automatic starter was added; Custom models were fitted with Delco ride regulations which were shock absorbers that were adjustable from the driver's compartment. This allowed a softer or firmer ride depending on the drivers needs at the time. Custom models also were given a vacuum-controlled two-speed axle known as Dual Ratio. This also gave drivers the freedom of selecting a 4.54:1 or 3.00:1 gear ratio. The 4.54 offered better performance while the 3.00:1 had better economy.
The Free-wheeling option, which had previously cost $85, was now standard on both the Custom and Standard models.
With all these mechanical improvements to the vehicle, it was amazing that prices continued to decrease. The Speedster sold for $845, a full $100 from the previous year.
In 1933, a Salon version was added to both the 8- and 12-cylinder series.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2008
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe styling was performed by either Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky or possibly Al Leamy. Al Leamy was a recent addition to the Auburn staff and would become famous in the years to come, with the design of the L-29 Cord automobile.
The Speedster models were very elegant and eye-catching. They featured hood louvers, a raked windshield, twin side-mounted spares, and a boattail rear-end.
The Model 8's were given a wide-ratio three-speed gearbox and rested on either a 125- or 130-inch wheelbase, depending on the model. The 8-115 had the larger size.
1929 brought few changes to the Speedsters; they were now known as the 8-90 and the 8-120. The naming scheme varied slightly from prior years, as horsepower was not rated at 96 and 125 respectively, but the names did not necessarily match. This increase in power was due to a change in the fuel system.
1929 was a great year for the Auburn 8 Models, and enjoyed record sales numbers. The company chose to make minimal changes for the following year, as the cars were selling well and most of their attention was diverted to the upcoming front-wheel drive Cord models.
In 1930 horsepower again improved, now rated at 100 for the smaller eight. The name 'Speedster' no longer appeared as part of the Model 8 name. It would re-appear the following year (In 1931), as the company wanted to put emphasis on performance.
The larger eight-cylinder engine was dropped, as was both of the six-cylinder engines. The 8-95 Model was bored-out to 268.6 cubic-inches and brought about the 8-98 model (and featured 98 horsepower). It was available in either Standard or Custom guise. The Custom line had an 'A' in the name to help distinguish it from the Standard line (appearing as 8-98A) and featured a free-wheeling, heavy, X-braced frame. Other options included dual-ratio rear axle, wire wheels, upgraded interior in hardware and fabric, and extra moldings.
Thanks in part to the onset of the Great Depression, the 8-98 sold for $350 less than the prior 8-95 Sedan of the 1930s. The Sedan sold for $995 while the Speedster for $945. Some experts say that the construction was not as solid as prior years, plus the Lockheed Hydraulics were replaced by Midland 'Steel-draulic' mechanical brakes. Still, Fortune reported the Auburn Model 8's as 'the biggest package in the world for the price.'
In 1932, the Styling remained mostly unchaged; mechanically, things were different. A new Startix automatic starter was added; Custom models were fitted with Delco ride regulations which were shock absorbers that were adjustable from the driver's compartment. This allowed a softer or firmer ride depending on the drivers needs at the time. Custom models also were given a vacuum-controlled two-speed axle known as Dual Ratio. This also gave drivers the freedom of selecting a 4.54:1 or 3.00:1 gear ratio. The 4.54 offered better performance while the 3.00:1 had better economy.
The Free-wheeling option, which had previously cost $85, was now standard on both the Custom and Standard models.
With all these mechanical improvements to the vehicle, it was amazing that prices continued to decrease. The Speedster sold for $845, a full $100 from the previous year.
In 1933, a Salon version was added to both the 8- and 12-cylinder series.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2008
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 1929
Auburn
models |
| Auburn 8-90 |
| Auburn Model 6-80 | 1929 Auburn Concepts |
| Auburn Cabin Speedster |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Daimler | Delage |
| Delahaye | Duesenberg |
| Hispano Suiza | Hudson |
| Isotta | Packard |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Voisin |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1929 |
| Willys Knight Model 66B ($1,895-$1,895) |
| Chrysler Series 75 ($1,540-$2,350) |
| Willys Knight Model 66A ($1,892-$2,622) |
| Hudson Model L ($1,650-$2,205) |
| Studebaker President Eight ($1,735-$2,575) |
Average Auction Sale: $98,633 |
| Auburn: 1921-1930 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Auburn |
| 12 | 6-39 | 6-51 | 654 | 850 Series | Beauty-SIX | Model 8 | Model G |
