1932 Auburn 8-100

The Auburn Automobile Company was established in 1900 offering a single-cylinder model priced at $800, a rather steep price at the time, but the company persisted, and new models quickly followed. During the 1910s, the company prospered, but by the close of the decade, it was in financial trouble.

Errett Lobban Cord was a unique and resourceful individual who reportedly made and lost $50,000 three times in the course of his business dealings, all before the age of 21. He joined Auburn as general manager in 1924 when the company was in the doldrums, producing more cars than it could sell, and quickly headed to bankruptcy. In 1925, Cord arranged for Lycoming straight-eight engines to be installed in the existing six-cylinder chassis, and Cord-inspired restyling included two-tone color schemes and a novel beltline that swept up over the bonnet. For three consecutive years, sales doubled, and in 1926 Cord became president of the Auburn Automobile Company.

Stutz's accolade of 'America's fastest' was soon challenged by the eight-cylinder Auburn, with Al Leamy driving an 8-115 Speedster at 108.46 mph over the measured mile at Daytona in 1928 and going on to take the 24 hours record at Atlantic City Speedway. Along with performance, the eight-cylinder Auburn's offered exceptional value, with the top-of-the-line Speedster listing at just $1,395, less than half the cost of the equivalent Stutz.

E.L. Cord seized the Great Depression as an opportunity to produce and sell better automobiles at a lower price than his competitors, and over 1,000 new dealers joined the company between 1929 and 1931, enabling the company to become 13th in national sales.

Alan Leamy's design of the new 'Dual Ratio' rear axle offered the driver a choice of high or low ratio in any of the three forward gears, selectable by adjusting a lever while driving below forty mph. A vacuum-actuated clutch locked or released a planetary gear set that was housed in the rear differential, creating the two possible output ratios and, essentially, a rudimentary six-speed transmission.

The first year of the Auburns with the sweeping fenders and the long hood was 1931, a design that would continue through 1933. The double-drop X-braced frame allowed the overall height to be reduced by three inches compared to previous models, with open cars having a more rakish appearance. The Coupe, Brougham, and Sedan were equally sinister as they shared the same chassis, hood, and front fenders as the Speedster.

The Model 8-100 and Model 8-100A rested on a 127-inch wheelbase platform, and body styles included the speedster, cabriolet, convertible phaeton sedan, coupe, brougham, and sedan. Prices ranged from $845 to $775. With the Custom Dual Ratio feature installed, prices rose by an additional $130. A seven-passenger sedan with a base price of $875 was offered on a 136-inch wheelbase platform.

Power was from a Lycoming 269 cubic-inch straight-8 engine producing 100 horsepower and backed by a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drum brakes. The suspension included semi-elliptic leaf springs with a solid front and live rear axle.

Time Magazine featured E.L. Cord on the cover of their magazine in 1932, a tribute to the success achieved during the difficult Depression. Despite the success, the company became a victim of the Depression and ceased production in 1936.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020