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1933 Auburn Model 12-165 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Sedan Brougham |
 |  | Speedster |
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2008
 |  |  | Speedster |
The 1932-1934 Auburn Twelve was the least expensive V-12 ever at $975 for the Standard coupe of $1,275 for the top-of-the-line Custom Speedster. The Twelve featured power by Lycoming in a huge double-braced frame.
Auburn is recognized as being one of the most balanced and best engineered 1930s' classics. It had a stunning design, especially the open models. Not surprisingly, the Auburn's value is still appreciating.
On the negative side, Auburn operating costs were steep and parts were extremely expensive.
This 1933 Auburn Salon Speedster V-12, built during the final years of the Auburn Motor Company, is one of the only 16 Salon Speedster produced in the year 1933. It was fully restored in 2000.
 |  |  | Sedan Brougham |
The most distinctive characteristic of a new Auburn was its astounding price: a two-passenger coupe's cost was only $975, or one-third to one-fourth the cost of a V12 Packard, Franklin, or Cadillac. Five other versions were offered: a cabriolet, brougham, sedan, speedster and phaeton with a maximum cost of $1,145 in 1932.
But as The Great Depression lengthened, sales fell each year and the last V12s were produced in 1932.
In an attempt to boost lagging sales, Auburn introduced a new top-of-the-line Salon series for 1933. The Salon was given more chrome, fancier bumpers, an upgraded interior, and a V-shaped windshield. The wheelbase measures 127-inches. This was mated to a new V-12 Lycoming engine, which Auburn had unveiled just a year earlier. This would become the least expensive twelve-cylinder engine ever marketed. The 391 cubic-inch unit had cost the company over $1 million to design and tool, yet sold for as little as $1,395. It was a very advanced powerplant and became well-known for its use in aircraft. The engine would remain in production until the mid-1960s for use in American La France fire trucks.
 |  |  | Phaeton Sedan |
The current owner's family purchased this car in 1968 and would spend the following two decades restoring it to its original condition.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010
At the tender age of fifteen Errett Lobban Cord, commonly known as E.L. Cord, left school in pursuit of a job as a car salesman. After a successful stint in that profession he began working as a mechanic in a service station located in Los Angeles. This led to modifying his Model T's to include bodywork and engine modifications. He later moved to Chicago where he went back to selling vehicles. He moved to Milwaukee where he opened his own car distributor company and by 1924 was looking to purchase his own manufacturing company.
When the Auburn Automobile Company prompted him with an offer Cord a top level management position, he accepted but under conditions. He demanded that he be given 20% of the profits and complete control of the company. He also stated that he wanted the option to buy the company once it recovered. The partners, at this point, were on the verge of bankruptcy, so they accepted the offer.
Cord had a profound knowledge of marketing and was very business savvy. During his career he purchased Duesenberg, cab companies, Aircraft Company, and a New York shipyard. By 1932 he purchased controlling interests in the Aviation Corp, which later became American Airways and is currently known as American Airlines.
His fortunes turned during the mid-1930's as the stock market crashed and the Great Depression brought many of his business to a bitter end.
The Auburn Company had turned a considerable profit during the 1920s but keeping up with the changing market was difficult. The cylinder wars of the early 1930s sent many companies struggling to keep up with the changing technology and mechanical advancements. Auburn answered this challenge in 1932 with the creation of their twelve-cylinder engine in 'Vee' configuration. To stimulate even more interest, the 12-160A was offered at an incredibly low price, at just under a thousand dollars. At that price it has remained in history as the lowest 12-cylinder vehicle ever produced. Many people feared that the quality of the engine or the vehicle was reflective of the price. This mindset backfired and as a result did not sell as well as intended. By years end the company had lost more than a million dollars.
The 6.5-liter Lycoming engine produced a respectable 160 horsepower and enough torque to propel the vehicle to around 100 mph. One of the most ingenious components of the vehicle was the 'Dual Ratio' differential which was operated by a dashboard lever. There were high and low ratios available for each of the three gears which improved fuel and oil consumption. The end result was less strain and wear-and-tare on the engine.
Cord had encountered problems with the Securities and Exchange Commission and fled to England in 1933. Harold Ames was left in control, though times were difficult since production had fallen nearly 85%. The 12-161A was introduced in 1933 though never achieved the desired success. The Great depression, struggling economy, and near-bankrupt company were part of the problems.
The Auburn 12-160A Speedster body was the most exclusive of the offering. With its low price tag, the vehicles were a bargain. Tough times and consumer fears were its ultimate demise and its potential was never realized.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2011
When the Auburn Automobile Company prompted him with an offer Cord a top level management position, he accepted but under conditions. He demanded that he be given 20% of the profits and complete control of the company. He also stated that he wanted the option to buy the company once it recovered. The partners, at this point, were on the verge of bankruptcy, so they accepted the offer.
Cord had a profound knowledge of marketing and was very business savvy. During his career he purchased Duesenberg, cab companies, Aircraft Company, and a New York shipyard. By 1932 he purchased controlling interests in the Aviation Corp, which later became American Airways and is currently known as American Airlines.
His fortunes turned during the mid-1930's as the stock market crashed and the Great Depression brought many of his business to a bitter end.
The Auburn Company had turned a considerable profit during the 1920s but keeping up with the changing market was difficult. The cylinder wars of the early 1930s sent many companies struggling to keep up with the changing technology and mechanical advancements. Auburn answered this challenge in 1932 with the creation of their twelve-cylinder engine in 'Vee' configuration. To stimulate even more interest, the 12-160A was offered at an incredibly low price, at just under a thousand dollars. At that price it has remained in history as the lowest 12-cylinder vehicle ever produced. Many people feared that the quality of the engine or the vehicle was reflective of the price. This mindset backfired and as a result did not sell as well as intended. By years end the company had lost more than a million dollars.
The 6.5-liter Lycoming engine produced a respectable 160 horsepower and enough torque to propel the vehicle to around 100 mph. One of the most ingenious components of the vehicle was the 'Dual Ratio' differential which was operated by a dashboard lever. There were high and low ratios available for each of the three gears which improved fuel and oil consumption. The end result was less strain and wear-and-tare on the engine.
Cord had encountered problems with the Securities and Exchange Commission and fled to England in 1933. Harold Ames was left in control, though times were difficult since production had fallen nearly 85%. The 12-161A was introduced in 1933 though never achieved the desired success. The Great depression, struggling economy, and near-bankrupt company were part of the problems.
The Auburn 12-160A Speedster body was the most exclusive of the offering. With its low price tag, the vehicles were a bargain. Tough times and consumer fears were its ultimate demise and its potential was never realized.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2011
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 1933
Auburn
models |
| Auburn 12-161 |
| Auburn 8-101 |
| Auburn 8-105 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Daimler | Delage |
| Delahaye | Duesenberg |
| Hispano Suiza | Hudson |
| Isotta | Packard |
| Peerless | Pierce Arrow |
| Talbot-Lago | Voisin |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1933 |
| Nash Ambassador Twin 8 ($1,600-$2,100) |
Average Auction Sale: $506,000 |
| Auburn: 1931-1940 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Auburn |
| 12 | 6-39 | 6-51 | 654 | 850 Series | Beauty-SIX | Model 8 | Model G |
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