1928 Auburn 8-88 Speedster - 2nd Series

Although Auburn (originally the Eckhart Carriage Company) built thousands of automobiles during its lifetime, from 1900 to 1936, it is this body style (the boattail speedster) that is remembered today. The Auburn Boattail Speedster was considered one of the most iconic automobiles of the 1920s and 1930s and was built by the Auburn Automobile Co. of Auburn, IN. The Speedster model debuted in 1928. While later models were styled by Alan Leamy and Duesenberg designer Gordon Buehrig, the early Speedsters were likely styled by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky.

Auburn was just another independent medium-class automobile manufacturer until the arrival of E.L. Cord in the mid-1920s. Under his leadership and eventual ownership, Auburn introduced colorful, handsome automobiles such as this speedster. Power was supplied by an 88-horsepower Lycoming-built, inline eight motor. Price new in 1928 was approximately $2,000, making them the least expensive eight on the market, contributing to their popularity. This car is recognized as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America. It has a raked windshield, hood louvers, twin side-mounted spare tires and a Boattail rear end. It is powered by an 88 horsepower Lycoming built in-line eight-cylinder engine with a top speed of 85 mph at a time when the speed limit on most highways was just 45 mph. Advanced engineering included four-wheeled brakes and a Bijur one-shot chassis lubrication system, a feature found on more expensive cars. It rides on a short, 125-inch wheelbase which perfectly suits its body style.

The current owners had a complete frame-off restoration accomplished in September 2014. The color of this vehicle is Navaho Red and black, the original colors available in 1928.