1933 Auburn Model 12-161 Boattail Speedster

The Eckhart brothers were former carriage builders who, in 1900, began producing the Auburn automobile in Auburn, Indiana. After World War I, the government was slow to pay automakers for war work, and Auburn was in a financial crisis. Erret Lobban Cord was brought in to save the company from certain ruin. He later combined Auburn with Duesenberg and also created the Cord. The company ended production in 1936 due to the Depression.

Despite declining sales and the failing economy caused by the Depression, more powerful 12 and 16-cylinder engines were introduced by luxury manufacturers such as Packard and Cadillac. Auburn, feeling the pressure of the cylinder wars, unveiled its new V12 Lycoming engine in 1932, which became the least expensive twelve-cylinder engine ever marketed. The 391 CID engine produced 160 horsepower and cost the company over $1 million to design and tool, yet the lowest-priced car sold for as little as $975. High-speed driving comfort of this car is enhanced with its 'Dual Ratio' differential, which uses an instrument panel level to provide a low and high ratio in each of the three gears.

The 1931-1933 Auburn Speedster models are an example of Alan Leamy's design talents at their very best. With its rakish V windshield, sweeping belt moldings, and disappearing top, this car looks like it is going fast even when parked. The 1933 12-161A model is particularly attractive due to the longer hood/wheelbase required to accommodate the 12-cylinder engine. This particular car was stored for many years inside an abandoned school bus and was a challenging restoration.

This vehicle is one of only three speedsters of this model built in 1933 as certified by the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club. It was built in January 1933 and sold in May. The speedster body was built by Union City body Company. The car was discovered in poor condition in an old school bus where it had been stored for many years. A two-year restoration brought it back to its original condition.