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The Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster combined the sporty 'boattail' styling penned by Alan Leamy with the potent Lycoming V-12 engine. Resting on a rather generous 133-inch wheelbase frame that was strengthened with a new front A-member, the Speedster was motivated by a 391.6 cubic-inch horizontal-valve engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission with Columbia electric overdrive. A semi-elliptical leaf-spring suspension with Houdaille double-acting shock absorbers was placed at the solid front and live two-speed rear axle, and stopping power was via four-wheel vacuum-assisted hydraulic drum brakes.
Along with the signature boat-tail rear end, styling elements included an abundance of chrome trim, headlamps with unique convex lenses, a radiator cap concealed by the hood, and stylized 'ribbon' bumpers.
The Salon Twelve was actively built only in 1933 but continued to be offered into 1934. It is believed that nine (possibly as many as fourteen) original Speedster examples were built, with its limited production attributed to the Great Depression and Auburn's continuing financial difficulties.
This Auburn has an original eight-cylinder speedster body mounted on an original 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Twelve chassis (previously numbered 192). Frank Pfenninger purchased the body and chassis from the William Harrah Automobile collection in the early 1970s and combined the body and chassis with an engine from his own Salon Twelve Phaeton. Before the project was finished, it passed to Terry Radey of Ontario, Canada, and instead of giving it a restoration, Mr. Radey sold it to a collector who commissioned Bud Hicks of Marshall, Michigan, to perform a full restoration.
David Graham of California purchased the speedster in 2000 and displayed it at that year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Ownership later passed to Richard Wesselink, who commissioned another refurbishment in the deep, two-tone red over black leather trim it wears today. Around that time, the serial number tag was also changed to 1935 E, as would be correct for a 12-cylinder speedster.
This Auburn was awarded Best Auburn and Best of Show at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club's West Coast prior to its acquisition by the Adderley Collection.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
Along with the signature boat-tail rear end, styling elements included an abundance of chrome trim, headlamps with unique convex lenses, a radiator cap concealed by the hood, and stylized 'ribbon' bumpers.
The Salon Twelve was actively built only in 1933 but continued to be offered into 1934. It is believed that nine (possibly as many as fourteen) original Speedster examples were built, with its limited production attributed to the Great Depression and Auburn's continuing financial difficulties.
This Auburn has an original eight-cylinder speedster body mounted on an original 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Twelve chassis (previously numbered 192). Frank Pfenninger purchased the body and chassis from the William Harrah Automobile collection in the early 1970s and combined the body and chassis with an engine from his own Salon Twelve Phaeton. Before the project was finished, it passed to Terry Radey of Ontario, Canada, and instead of giving it a restoration, Mr. Radey sold it to a collector who commissioned Bud Hicks of Marshall, Michigan, to perform a full restoration.
David Graham of California purchased the speedster in 2000 and displayed it at that year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Ownership later passed to Richard Wesselink, who commissioned another refurbishment in the deep, two-tone red over black leather trim it wears today. Around that time, the serial number tag was also changed to 1935 E, as would be correct for a 12-cylinder speedster.
This Auburn was awarded Best Auburn and Best of Show at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club's West Coast prior to its acquisition by the Adderley Collection.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $450,000
Sale Price :
USD $467,000
2015 RM Sotheby's : Motor City Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $375,000-USD $450,000
Sale Price :
USD $506,000
1934 Auburn 1250 Twelve Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Auburn 1250 Twelve
(Data based on Model Year 1934 sales)
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet Sold for USD$440,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 12165 1935 E Sold for USD$467,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Chassis#: 1062H Sold for USD$351,500 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Phaeton Sedan Chassis#: 1250 1064 H Sold for USD$207,200 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 1250 1122 E Sold for USD$313,500 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1934 AUBURN 12-165 SALON CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 1091F Sold for USD$360,852 2015 Bonhams : The Frederiksen Auction | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 192 Sold for USD$506,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Motor City Auction | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet Chassis#: 1201 F Sold for USD$401,500 2015 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet Chassis#: BB2063 Sold for USD$319,000 2014 WorldWide Auctions - The Houston Classic Motorcar Auction | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster Chassis#: 1122E Sold for USD$286,000 2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | |
1934 Auburn 12 Salon Cabriolet Chassis#: 1091F Sold for USD$473,000 2012 Worldwide - The Auburn Auction | |
1934 AUBURN TWELVE SALON PHAETON Sold for USD$292,600 2011 Auctions America - Auburn Fall Auction | |
1934 AUBURN 1250 SALON CABRIOLET Sold for USD$253,000 2009 Barrett-Jackson - Palm Beach 2009 | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Sedan Sold for USD$319,000 2009 Automobiles of Arizona | |
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Sold for USD$176,000 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island |
Auburn 1250 Twelves That Failed To Sell At Auction
1934 Auburn 1250 Twelve's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton | 1250 1064 H | 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $325,000 | $375,000 | $450,000 |
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1934 Auburn 1250 Twelve
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