1934 Auburn 1250 Twelve Salon Speedster

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