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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.
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.
2013 RM Auction - Art of the Automobile
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,600,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,210,000
1933 Auburn Model 12-161 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Auburn Model 12-161
(Data based on Model Year 1933 sales)
1933 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 2421 Sold for USD$385,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1933 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Chassis#: 12-165 1147 H Sold for USD$268,800 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1933 AUBURN 12 161A SALON PHAETON CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1156 Sold for USD$220,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1933 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Sold for USD$330,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Auburn Fall Auction | |
1933 Auburn 12-161A Cabriolet Chassis#: 12161BB2578 Sold for USD$126,500 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1933 AUBURN 12 161A SALON PHAETON CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1156 Sold for USD$165,000 2017 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1933 Auburn 12-161 Convertible Coupé Chassis#: 400 Sold for USD$161,061 2016 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1933 Auburn 12-161A Custom Speedster Chassis#: 160 1146E Sold for USD$451,000 2014 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1933 Auburn Twelve Custom Speedster Chassis#: 2119E Sold for USD$1,210,000 2013 RM Auction - Art of the Automobile | |
1933 Auburn Twelve Custom Phaeton Sedan Chassis#: 12161A21874 Sold for USD$275,000 2013 Worldwide Auctions - Auburn | |
1933 Auburn Twelve Custom Phaeton Sedan Chassis#: 1094H Sold for USD$203,500 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1933 Auburn Twelve Convertible Sedan Chassis#: 2148H Sold for USD$156,750 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
1933 Auburn Model 12-161A Conv. Sedan Sold for USD$214,500 2003 Carail Museum |
Auburn Model 12-161s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1933 Auburn Model 12-161's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1933 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton | 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | $225,000 | $275,000 | ||
1933 AUBURN 12-161A SALON PHAETON | 2156 H | 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $200,000 | $240,000 | |
1933 AUBURN 161 A PHAETON | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $120,000 |
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1933 Auburn Model 12-161
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