1931 Auburn Model 8-98 Boattail Speedster

It's safe to say that Indy and Auburn are never linked in word association games. Nevertheless, an Auburn did run in the 500-mile classic and inspired Chad Caldwell to create this modern replica. The inspiration - an Auburn modified for the 1930 race - was modest. Driven by Marion Trexler, the Auburn started 29th in the 38-car field and crashed out of contention just 19 laps into the race. A native of Indianapolis, Trexler was active in racing before and after 1930 but never returned to the Brickyard, and neither did Auburn.

Chad Caldwell's replica began with a 1931 Auburn sedan. He and his crew removed the body, sectioned the frame longitudinally, reducing width and relocated the engine 12 inches rearward. The aluminum body was fabricated to resemble the Trexler car, and Caldwell added hydraulic brakes and overdrive. Auburn was one of the very few companies to record increased sales in 1931, the depths of the Depression, thanks to strong performance and attractive pricing. There were two trim levels, Eight and Custom Eight, both powered by a new 269 cubic-inch (4.4 liter) inline eight from Lycoming, a Pennsylvania-based company acquired in 1927 by Auburn's dynamic boss, Errett Lobban Cord. The Lycoming eight was rated for 98 horsepower in 1931 and was followed by a V-12 in 1932.

Caldwell built the Speedster for the Great Race, an annual vintage car cross-country rally. He has since put over 20,000 miles on the odometer in three Great Races, as well as a number of other rallies.